QUETTA/RAWALPINDI (MNN); Security forces thwarted an alleged attempt by terrorists to establish an illegal checkpoint on the Chaman-Karachi N-25 National Highway near Kalat for abducting people, extorting money and snatching vehicles, rescuing 23 abductees and killing six terrorists, according to the military’s media wing on Sunday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operation was carried out during the night of September 18-19 after terrorists affiliated with Fitna al-Hindustan attempted to disrupt the movement of civilians and traffic along the strategically important highway.
According to the statement, the militants were seeking to establish a temporary checkpoint from where they could abduct people for ransom, carry out extortion and seize vehicles travelling along the highway.
Security forces responded promptly and engaged the terrorists in an intense exchange of fire. The ISPR said six terrorists were killed during the operation.
The government has designated terrorist organisations operating in Balochistan under the umbrella term Fitna al-Hindustan, while accusing India of supporting militant groups operating in the province.
Security forces also recovered 23 abducted individuals from a hideout used by the militants. Six trucks, three buses and two cars were recovered during the operation, along with a substantial quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives.
The ISPR said the operation had disrupted what it described as the terrorists’ plans to target civilians and obstruct traffic on the national highway.
“Sanitisation operations are continuing in the surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining terrorists and ensure the safety and security of the local population and the vital National Highways,” the military’s media wing said.
The ISPR added that the counter-terrorism campaign being conducted under the Azm-e-Istehkam framework, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue with full determination.
“Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies remain committed to eliminating the menace of foreign-sponsored and foreign-supported terrorism from the country,” the statement said.
Rising Terrorism Threat
Pakistan has faced a sustained increase in militant violence in recent years. Data compiled by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) organisation indicates that reported attacks in Pakistan increased substantially between 2022 and 2025, with the country witnessing thousands of violent incidents during the period.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has experienced a significant share of the violence, while Balochistan has also remained a major target of militant attacks, including assaults on civilians, security personnel and infrastructure.
In a major series of operations in August, security forces, in coordination with law-enforcement agencies, reported killing dozens of terrorists in separate intelligence-based operations across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Security forces have also conducted repeated operations in Balochistan in recent weeks. Earlier, seven terrorists were reported killed in the province, followed by further clashes near Kalat.
A few days ago, three terrorists were also reported killed during an intelligence-based operation in the Badrang area of Awaran district. According to security sources, the operation was conducted against militants affiliated with Fitna al-Hindustan, with weapons and ammunition recovered from the site.
The latest Kalat operation comes amid continued security efforts to protect major highways and prevent militant groups from establishing temporary checkpoints that could disrupt civilian movement, facilitate kidnappings or enable vehicle seizures.
