QUETTA: Over the past 72 hours, Pakistani security agencies have successfully neutralized 48 terrorists believed to be backed by Indian intelligence agencies, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The operations targeted militants affiliated with groups such as Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij across various regions in Balochistan.
The military’s media wing detailed that multiple intelligence-driven operations took place in districts including Mastung, Quetta, Kalat, and Sibi. During these operations, security forces managed to eliminate 36 terrorists, with several weapons and explosive devices destroyed.
On September 4, security personnel launched an operation in Mastung after detecting suspicious movement, leading to an exchange of fire that resulted in the death of six Indian-sponsored militants. Additionally, a cache of weapons, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) was seized and destroyed at the scene.
In another operation in the Shaban area of Quetta district, security forces identified and targeted four hideouts linked to Khawarij militants, killing 26 terrorists after a fierce firefight. In Kalat, authorities raided a suspected hideout, resulting in the death of two more terrorists believed to be supported by India.
In Sibi district’s Bhag area, swift action by security personnel, aided by local residents, thwarted an attempted attack on a police station. During the clash, two terrorists associated with Indian-backed groups were killed, and the operation to clear remaining threats continues.
ISPR reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating foreign-sponsored terrorism through ongoing operations under the “Azm e Istehkam” initiative. The military emphasizes that the campaign will persist at full strength to eliminate any residual threats in the region.
Since 2021, Pakistan has faced a rise in terrorist activities, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan. A recent report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) indicates that these two provinces remain the primary zones of violence, accounting for nearly 96% of all terror-related fatalities in the second quarter of 2026.
According to the report, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced the highest number of incidents, with 151 attacks representing over half of the national total, and 475 deaths (61%). Balochistan reported 94 incidents, resulting in 265 fatalities, highlighting the ongoing militant threat in the region.
