Rawalpindi, August 21, 2026: Security forces have killed 49 terrorists in a series of intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, the military’s media wing said on Friday, describing the operations as a major success in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces, in coordination with police, conducted a series of “high-tempo” intelligence-driven operations over the past few days as part of the country’s continuing campaign against militant networks.
ISPR said the operations resulted in the elimination of 49 terrorists and dealt “significant blows” to terrorist networks operating in the two provinces.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 12 militants belonging to what the military refers to as Fitna al-Khawarij were killed during operations conducted in Bannu, North Waziristan, Orakzai and Khyber districts.
Security forces recovered explosives, improvised explosive device (IED) detonating remotes, weapons, ammunition and motorcycles from the slain militants, which were subsequently destroyed, according to ISPR.
In Balochistan, 37 militants described by the military as members of Fitna al-Hindustan were killed in 10 intelligence-based operations carried out in Mastung, Mach, Khuzdar and Panjgur districts.
A significant quantity of weapons, explosive drums and remote-detonation equipment was also recovered and destroyed during the operations, ISPR said.
The military’s media wing said sanitisation operations were continuing in the areas to eliminate any remaining militants and secure the affected locations.
“Security forces remain resolute and unwavering in defending the nation’s frontiers,” ISPR said, adding that the counter-terrorism campaign under the government’s Azm-e-Istehkam initiative would continue at full pace.
The military said the campaign was aimed at eliminating what it described as foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for the successful operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and reiterated the government’s determination to eradicate terrorism.
President Asif Ali Zardari also lauded the security forces, saying externally sponsored terrorism would not succeed in undermining Pakistan’s peace and stability.
He said counter-terrorism operations would continue “with full force” until the complete elimination of the threat, expressing confidence that the people of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would eventually be freed from terrorism and that peace, development and prosperity would be restored.
The latest operations follow a series of recent counter-terrorism actions in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
On August 12, security forces reported killing 18 terrorists in Balochistan’s Surab district, while 15 militants were killed in multiple intelligence-based operations across Balochistan on August 9. Two days earlier, 10 terrorists were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The latest operations come amid a sharp deterioration in Pakistan’s security situation.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based security think tank, July was the deadliest month of 2026, with 205 people killed in violence linked to terrorist attacks and counter-terrorism operations. The figure included 112 security personnel.
Balochistan recorded the most significant deterioration, with the overall death toll rising by 241 per cent to 372 in July from 109 in June, according to the report.
Mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also witnessed a substantial increase in fatalities, with 154 deaths recorded in July compared with 75 in June, representing a rise of 105 per cent.
