Security forces killed at least 12 terrorists in separate intelligence-based operations in Balochistan on September 28 and 29, as counter-terrorism operations continued across several districts of the province, according to security sources and Pakistani media reports.
The reported operations took place in Dera Bugti, Mastung and Chagai, targeting terrorist networks of Fitna al-Hindustan. The operations also resulted in the arrest of 17 facilitators and the destruction of terrorist hideouts and weapons-storage sites.
Six terrorists killed in Dera Bugti
On September 28, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation along the Dera Bugti-Kashmore Road after receiving information about the presence of terrorists in the area.
According to security sources, an exchange of fire took place after troops moved towards the suspected terrorist position, resulting in the killing of six terrorists. Several security personnel were also injured during the engagement.
A search and clearance operation was subsequently launched to locate any remaining militants and secure the area.
The operation was conducted as security forces continued intensified counter-terrorism activity across Balochistan under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3.
Four terrorists killed, 17 facilitators arrested in Dasht
In another intelligence-based operation on September 28, security forces targeted terrorist elements in the Dagari Cross area of Dasht, Mastung district.
Security sources reported that four terrorists were killed and 17 facilitators were arrested during the operation.
The operation also targeted terrorist infrastructure. According to reports, hideouts and locations used for storing weapons were destroyed, followed by sanitisation and clearance operations in the area.
The arrests could provide security agencies with information about the wider network supporting terrorist activity in the area.
Two terrorists killed in Chagai
On September 29, security forces killed two more terrorists in the Nokcha area of Chagai district, according to security sources.
The terrorist were reportedly attempting to set an empty water tanker or bowser on fire before fleeing the area. Security forces responded and killed both men, according to the reports.
The two were also involved in previous arson and sabotage incidents along the N-40 highway, a major route connecting Balochistan with the border region.
The Chagai operation brings the reported number of terrorists killed in the distinct operations covered over September 28-29 to 12: six in Dera Bugti, four in Dasht and two in Chagai.
Part of wider counter-terrorism campaign
The latest operations came shortly after the military reported a major escalation in counter-terrorism activity across Balochistan.
On September 27, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces had killed more than 71 terrorists during operations across Balochistan over a preceding 96-hour period. The military said the campaign included the ongoing Operation Shaban in the Shaban and Ziarat areas of Quetta district, as well as separate intelligence-based operations in Nushki and Mand.
According to ISPR, Operation Shaban began on September 21 after intelligence agencies identified terrorist hideouts in the area. Security forces subsequently cleared several positions and recovered weapons, ammunition and explosives.
Earlier in the campaign, ISPR had reported that 33 terrorists had been killed in Balochistan since September 21, including five during operations in Shaban and 11 in Nushki.
The latest operations in Dera Bugti, Mastung and Chagai therefore form part of a broader security campaign rather than a single coordinated engagement.
Focus on terrorist networks and infrastructure
The locations of the recent operations also reflect the geographical spread of the security campaign, from Dera Bugti in eastern Balochistan to Mastung and Chagai in the central and western parts of the province.
The reported operations have targeted not only terrorist but also the infrastructure and support networks used by them, including hideouts, weapons-storage locations and facilitators.
Security forces have said that search and clearance operations will continue following the latest engagements to identify remaining terrorist elements and prevent them from regrouping.
