ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed five militants and wounded four others during an operation in Palantak, Washuk district, on Wednesday, according to security sources.
The sources said forces struck militant hideouts using modern weapons. They alleged the dead militants had been involved in robbing residents and spreading fear in the area. Weapons and ammunition were reportedly recovered.
The operation follows a broader increase in counterterrorism activity in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On October 7, security forces reportedly killed five militants in an operation in Mastung.
Pakistan has also recorded a rise in militant attacks. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies says 225 attacks took place nationwide in September 2026, up from 199 in August—a 13% increase and the third consecutive monthly rise.
Islamabad has repeatedly called on Kabul to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks in Pakistan. The issue remains a key source of tension between the two governments despite several rounds of talks.
