Quetta, August 10, 2026: Security forces killed five terrorists, including a key militant commander, during an intelligence-based operation in Panjgur district of Balochistan under Operation Rad-ul-Fitna-3, security sources said on Monday.
The operation was conducted in the Sarkini and Chedgi areas against members of Fitna al-Hindustan. According to security sources, the slain militants included the group’s commander, Wazir, son of Jamal.
Security forces recovered four motorcycles, machine guns, heavy weapons and a large quantity of ammunition from the militants, the sources said.
The killed terrorists were allegedly involved in robbery, extortion, kidnapping and attacks targeting traders and civilians in the area.
A clearance operation was subsequently launched in the vicinity to locate and eliminate any remaining militants, the sources added.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for conducting the successful operation and commended their professionalism and resolve in combating terrorism.
In a statement, Naqvi said the security forces had once again demonstrated their determination to eliminate terrorist elements from Balochistan and restore lasting peace in the province. He said the entire nation stood united against terrorism and firmly supported the security forces in their efforts.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to providing full support to security forces to eradicate terrorism from the country.
The latest operation came a day after security forces killed 15 India-backed terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij during intelligence-based operations across several districts of Balochistan, including Mastung, Bolan, Washuk, Awaran, Sibi, Khuzdar, Harnai and Nushki.
Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have remained the country’s major hotspots for militant violence in recent years. According to a Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) report, the two provinces accounted for nearly 96 per cent of violence-related fatalities recorded across Pakistan during the second quarter of 2026.
The report said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded more than 61 per cent of the fatalities, with 475 deaths, while Balochistan accounted for 34 per cent, with 265 deaths.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also recorded the highest number of violent incidents during the quarter, with 151 cases, or 57 per cent of the national total. Balochistan followed with 94 incidents, representing 35 per cent.
The latest operations reflect the continued security forces’ campaign against militant networks as authorities seek to curb the resurgence of terrorism and improve security in the country’s affected regions.
