Security forces successfully eliminated five terrorists linked to India-backed groups during coordinated operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, officials confirmed on Wednesday. These actions form part of ongoing efforts to curb militancy in the region.
In North Waziristan’s Mir Ali area, an intelligence-driven raid resulted in the deaths of three Fitna al-Khawarij militants. The forces also seized a significant arsenal of weapons and ammunition and dismantled several militant hideouts.
Meanwhile, in Balochistan’s Surab district near Mal Madarsa, security personnel launched Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3 targeting Fitna al-Hindustan terrorists. One militant was killed during a firefight, with another escaping. The operation yielded the recovery of weapons and a motorcycle from the deceased terrorist. This operation was prompted by intelligence about terrorist presence between Mal Madarsa and Bategu.
In a separate incident in Tank, KP, a Fitna al-Khawarij terrorist died when an explosive device he was carrying detonated prematurely. The individual was reportedly en route to attack a patwar office due to an extortion dispute. The blast caused structural damage to two adjacent houses near the government office.
These operations come amid an escalation of counterterrorism measures in Balochistan. On September 27, over 70 terrorists were killed in multiple operations across the province over four days. Notably, a major clearance phase in the Shaban area resulted in 17 deaths, followed by another phase killing 56 militants. Additional operations took place in Nushki and Mand districts.
Further, on September 29, security forces killed seven militants in separate incidents across KP and Balochistan. This included five Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists in Bara and two Fitna al-Hindustan militants in Balochistan’s Nokcha area. Weapons and ammunition were recovered, and militant hideouts destroyed during these operations.
Pakistan has seen a marked increase in terrorist activities, especially in KP and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021. A report from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) highlighted these two provinces as the primary violence hotspots during the second quarter of 2026. KP was identified as the most affected region, with KP and Balochistan together accounting for approximately 96% of all violence-related fatalities nationwide during this period.
Specifically, KP recorded over 61% (475) of the deaths, while Balochistan accounted for 34% (265). KP also reported the highest number of violent incidents, totaling 151 cases or 57% of the national figure, followed by Balochistan with 94 incidents, representing 35%. This data underscores the intense concentration of militant activity in these two provinces.
