QUETTA (MNN); Pakistan’s security forces have eliminated 102 terrorists in a series of intelligence-based and coordinated counter-terrorism operations across Balochistan since July 5, according to security sources cited by state media on Saturday.
In the latest operations, security forces killed 23 terrorists, including 12 militants affiliated with Fitna al Khawarij. Separately, two terrorists linked to Fitna al Hindustan were neutralized during an intelligence-based operation near the N-25 crossing in Balochistan.
According to security officials, weapons, hand grenades, a motorcycle, mobile phones, flags of a banned organization, and other equipment were recovered from the slain militants.
The state refers to militants of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as Fitna al Khawarij, while insurgent groups operating in Balochistan are designated as Fitna al Hindustan.
The ongoing military campaign is part of Operation Shaban, a large-scale counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operation launched after a series of deadly terrorist attacks in the province.
Pakistan Television (PTV) reported that coordinated air and ground operations involving the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC), and police continue across Balochistan to dismantle terrorist hideouts.
Security officials reaffirmed that the operation will continue until all terrorist networks operating in the province are eliminated.
The operation was launched following the July 5 attack on the Mangi Dam pumping station police post in Quetta district. During the assault, terrorists martyred nine police personnel, including two Station House Officers (SHOs), and abducted 18 others. The abducted policemen were later found martyred in the mountainous Zarghoon Gar area.
State-run Radio Pakistan had earlier reported that dozens of terrorists had already been killed during Operation Shaban, with the latest operations pushing the overall number of militants eliminated to 102.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, and Balochistan Police for their successful operations, describing their courage and sacrifices as a historic chapter in the country’s fight against terrorism.
He said the security forces had effectively foiled the terrorists’ plans and vowed that enemies of peace would find no refuge anywhere in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister’s Adviser on Information and Political Affairs, Shahid Rind, announced that Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti had approved Rs11.1 million in compensation for the families of those martyred in the Mangi Dam attack.
Rind said all financial and administrative procedures had been completed on a fast-track basis. He added that the provincial government would continue supporting the martyrs’ families and bear the educational expenses of their children.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while chairing the Provincial Apex Committee meeting on the National Action Plan in Quetta alongside Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, declared that Pakistan’s civil and military leadership had unanimously resolved to eradicate terrorism from the country.
According to the military, terrorist attacks and subsequent security operations since July 5 have claimed the lives of 42 people, including 27 police personnel, 11 security officials, and four civilians.
