Security forces have killed 27 more militants in follow-up operations across Balochistan, bringing the total number of militants neutralised over the past three days to at least 177, according to security sources.
The latest operations come after a wave of coordinated attacks claimed by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army targeted both security installations and civilians in multiple districts. Overnight clearance and sanitisation operations remained underway as forces tightened cordons around suspected hideouts and support networks.
Rakshan Division sees heavy clashes
Security sources reported widespread violence in Rakshan Division near the Iranian border, where militants were involved in arson and large explosions. At least 16 militants were killed in Nushki during exchange of fire.
In a separate engagement, troops from the Frontier Corps Kharan Rifles eliminated five militants during an intelligence-based operation in Kharan.
The ongoing campaign involves joint efforts by security forces, intelligence agencies and police to dismantle militant infrastructure and detain facilitators, officials said, adding that further losses have been inflicted on militant networks.
Yesterday attacks took place across multiple districts, including Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, and Pasni. At least 31 civilians and 17 members of the security forces were martyred.
Authorities confirmed that the bodies of 145 militants are now in state custody, indicating the scale of the security response.
Bugti calls operation “one of the most extensive”
Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti described the ongoing campaign as one of the most extensive intelligence-driven operations carried out in such a short time.
He said the crackdown was launched in response to highly coordinated militant assaults and accused attackers of deliberately targeting civilians.
Referring to a deadly incident in Gwadar, Bugti said five women and three children were killed in a labourers’ residential colony despite pleading for their lives.
He also revealed that militants damaged Safe City surveillance cameras in Quetta during the violence but said the monitoring system has since been upgraded and expanded to improve urban security response.
Use of human shields
The chief minister further alleged that militants used children as human shields during attacks in Quetta, complicating the response of law enforcement.
“They brought an 11-year-old child with them. Should the police kill an 11-year-old?” Bugti said, underscoring the operational challenges faced by forces during urban engagements.
Security officials say clearance operations are continuing and more militant casualties are expected as forces pursue fleeing attackers and their support networks across the province.
