Update · 25 Oct 2026, 1:20 PM PKT: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti praised the operation that killed wanted commander Adil Shah alias Darvesh, describing it as a demonstration of the security forces' professional capabilities. Bugti said the sacrifices of security personnel were commendable.
Bugti said the fight would continue until terrorism was eliminated and the public was protected. Shahid Rind, the chief minister's aide on information and political affairs, also praised the operation, saying it reflected the forces' professional expertise. Rind stressed the need for indiscriminate action against terrorists and their facilitators. Security sources said operations would continue until the last terrorist was eliminated.
Security forces killed a senior militant commander in the Qila Saifullah district of Balochistan in an operation based on intelligence, security sources said on Sunday. The dead man was named as Adil Shah, alias Darvesh, and the sources said he had belonged to the Fitna al-Khawarij group since December 2020.
Alleged role in militant activity and charges against him
According to the sources, Shah had managed the group’s finances since 2024 and had also arranged shelter for non-local fighters in the Zhob, Sherani and Shaban districts. He was further alleged to have taken part in attacks on security personnel and in kidnappings for ransom during 2022 and 2023.
Authorities have registered 19 cases against him in anti-terrorism courts, the sources added, and a reward of Rs2.5 million had been announced for information leading to his arrest. The operation formed part of security forces’ activities in the province under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3.
Rising militant violence and strained ties with Kabul
Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in cross-border terrorist incidents, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban took power in 2021. It recorded its highest monthly number of militant attacks in 12 years in September 2026.
Islamabad has repeatedly asked Kabul to stop its territory being used by militant organisations to launch attacks inside Pakistan. Pakistan maintains that the Afghan Taliban regime has not taken effective action against groups responsible for attacks on its security forces and civilians.
Despite multiple rounds of talks, the two sides have yet to resolve their differences, with militants operating from Afghan soil remaining a major point of contention.
