Quetta, September 23, 2026: Security forces killed 11 terrorists in separate intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Mastung and Turbat districts on Wednesday, while one security personnel was injured in an exchange of fire, state-run Radio Pakistan reported, citing security sources.
According to the report, nine terrorists belonging to what the state describes as Fitna al-Khawarij were killed during an operation in the Kanak Valley area of Mastung under the ongoing Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3.
Security sources said the terrorists had attempted to attack a security checkpost but were pushed back by the forces. Two terrorists were killed during the initial exchange of fire, while seven others were killed after security personnel pursued them as they attempted to flee.
A large quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered from the slain terrorists, according to the sources. One security personnel was injured during the exchange of fire and was shifted to hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, two terrorists described by state media as belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan were killed during a separate intelligence-based operation in the Jausak area of Turbat.
A search, clearance and sanitisation operation was under way in the area to track down other fleeing terrorists, Radio Pakistan reported.
Security sources said operations would continue until the elimination of terrorists from Balochistan.
On the same day, security forces also foiled an infiltration attempt by militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan’s Kurram sector, according to state media.
The attempted infiltration was reportedly made from Afghan Taliban positions in Nangarhar and Paktia provinces. Pakistani troops deployed along the border responded to firing from Afghan Taliban positions.
Security sources said Afghan Taliban personnel subsequently used heavy weapons, mortars and other arms against Pakistani border posts. Pakistani forces responded with small and heavy weapons, including artillery, targeting what the sources described as Afghan Taliban border posts, mortar positions and defensive positions.
The sources claimed the retaliatory action forced Afghan Taliban personnel to abandon several positions.
The latest operations follow a series of counterterrorism actions in Balochistan.
On Monday, security forces killed four terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the Aphan Koh area of Prom Paroom in Panjgur district. The operation was reportedly conducted following intelligence about the presence of militants described as Fitna al-Hindustan. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site.
On September 19, security forces reported killing 11 terrorists in separate operations in Panjgur and Chagai districts under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3.
In another operation during the night of September 18-19, security forces reported foiling an attempt by militants to establish a checkpost along the N-25 highway near Kalat. According to security sources, 23 abductees were rescued and five militants were killed.
Earlier, on September 17, three militants were killed in an operation in Badrang area of Awaran district, with weapons and ammunition recovered from their possession.
The military’s media wing has described Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3 as a counterterrorism campaign targeting militant groups that Pakistan alleges are being backed by India.
Terrorism remains a significant security challenge for Pakistan. According to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), the number of recorded attacks in the country increased from 658 in 2022 to 2,425 in 2025. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has experienced the highest number of attacks, while Balochistan has also faced repeated attacks targeting civilians and security installations.
