Security forces on August 31, eliminated two terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the Palantak area of Washuk district, Balochistan, security sources said on Monday. The operation was conducted under the ongoing Operation Radd-ul-Fitna against Fitna al-Hindustan. According to security sources, the two terrorists were involved in attacks targeting the Mashkhel Police Station and the Customs House.
During the operation, the terrorists’ vehicle was destroyed, while a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered. Security sources said the recovered arms were intended for targeted killings and further militant activity in Balochistan.
The latest operation comes against the backdrop of heightened terrorist activity in Mashkhel, a strategically located area of Washuk district . The area has witnessed attacks and attempted attacks against government and security installations as well as civilians.
On August 30, armed individuals attempted to target police facilities, a Customs warehouse and other government installations in Mashkhel, according to the Assistant Commissioner of Mashkhel. Frontier Corps Balochistan responded to the incident, forcing the attackers to flee. Weapons, vehicles, motorcycles and a quantity of ammunition were subsequently recovered from the area.
The wider security environment in Mashkhel has also included attacks against civilians. On July 12, five labourers were killed after armed attackers opened fire on them in the Mashkel area, according to security sources. The incident prompted security forces to cordon off the area and launch a search operation.
The reported involvement of the two terrorists killed on Monday in attacks against the Mashkhel Police Station and Customs House therefore places the latest IBO within a broader effort to disrupt militant networks operating in the area.
The latest operation is part of intensified intelligence-led counterterrorism activity across the province. On August 5, security forces killed six terrorists in Washuk, while another six were killed in a separate operation in Mastung, bringing the combined number killed in those operations to 12.
Further operations were subsequently reported across Balochistan. On August 9, state media reported that 15 terrorists were killed in intelligence-based operations conducted across Mastung, Bolan, Washuk, Awaran, Sibi, Khuzdar, Harnai and Nushki.
Security sources have said that intelligence-based operations will continue until the terrorist threat is eliminated from Balochistan. For the province, disrupting terrorist networks remains important not only for security but also for protecting local communities, trade, border connectivity and economic activity.
