Security forces kill 22 more terrorists in Balochistan; terrorist death toll rises to 177

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s security forces continued intensive counterterrorism operations across Balochistan, killing 22 more terrorists during overnight follow-up actions, security sources said on Monday, as the total number of militants eliminated over the past three days rose to at least 177.

According to the sources, the ongoing campaign comprises large-scale sanitisation and clearance operations targeting terrorists and their facilitators in multiple parts of the province. Security forces, supported by intelligence agencies and police, have tightened cordons around suspected hideouts and operational zones, inflicting further losses on militant networks.

Earlier, addressing a press conference in Quetta, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti described the operation as one of the most extensive intelligence-led counterterrorism actions conducted within such a short period. He said the crackdown was launched in response to a series of coordinated attacks claimed by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

The military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said terrorists launched near-simultaneous assaults on Saturday at multiple locations, targeting both security installations and civilian areas. The attacks took place in Quetta, Mastung, Noshki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.

Security forces responded swiftly with sustained clearance operations and armed standoffs, killing 92 terrorists on the first day of the operation. According to ISPR, 18 civilians were martyred in the attacks, while 15 security personnel “fought gallantly and embraced martyrdom” during the counterterrorism response.

Chief Minister Bugti accused the terrorists of deliberately targeting civilians and exploiting vulnerable populations. Referring to an incident in Gwadar, he said militants killed five women and three children at a family labour colony despite pleas to spare their lives.

He also revealed that terrorists attempted to disrupt security operations by damaging surveillance infrastructure, including Safe City cameras in Quetta. However, he said the surveillance system had since been upgraded and expanded to enhance urban monitoring and improve response capabilities.

Highlighting the complexity of the operations, Bugti said militants used children as human shields during attacks in Quetta, complicating operational decisions for law enforcement agencies.

“They brought an 11-year-old child with them. Should the police kill an 11-year-old?” he asked, underscoring the challenges faced by security personnel while conducting precision-based counterterrorism actions.

Security forces remain on high alert as clearance operations continue across the province to eliminate remaining militant elements and restore stability.