Pakistani security forces killed 11 militants in separate operations in Balochistan’s Panjgur and Chagai districts, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday, citing security sources, as authorities pressed ahead with a sustained crackdown against insurgent groups in the restive south-western province. The raids, carried out under the ongoing Operation Raddul Fitna 3, also yielded a large haul of weapons, ammunition and explosive material seized from the militants, reports DAWN.
Five militants were neutralised in Panjgur’s Gowargo area, where forces recovered a significant quantity of arms, according to the report. A further six were killed during separate operations in the Aminabad and Siah Chang areas of Chagai district, with additional weapons and explosives seized there as well.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for the operations, according to state-run news agency APP. He said the forces had “once again thwarted the intentions of terrorists through effective action,” adding that their conduct reflected a broader commitment to safeguarding national security and demonstrated the resolve to confront threats and maintain stability.
The latest killings come amid a marked rise in militant violence across Balochistan in recent weeks, which has prompted security forces to step up counter-terrorism operations across the province. Attacks rose by seven percent from 83 in July to 89 in August, according to a monthly assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies.
The surge in operations follows a coordinated assault by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on the Customs House at Ziarat Cross on the N-50 National Highway in Pishin district on the night of August 31 into September 1. Security forces killed ten militants in retaliation, though six personnel, including two officers, were martyred in the exchange of fire, the military’s media affairs wing said.
On the same day, 11 militants belonging to Fitna-al-Hindustan were killed after setting up an illegal checkpoint to extort money on the N-40 Quetta-Taftan highway in Chagai’s Nokcha area, following an intense gun battle with troops.
Further operations continued through early September. On September 2, forces killed 12 militants in an intelligence-based operation in Kalat district, and days later killed 11 more while recovering 2.9 tonnes of explosives during separate raids in Kharan and Washuk districts. The Inter-Services Public Relations said on September 4 that 36 militants had been eliminated in “high-tempo” operations across Mastung, Quetta, Kalat and Sibi districts, which also foiled an attack on a police station in Sibi’s Bhag area.
More recently, seven militants were killed in an intelligence-based operation in the Badrang area of Awaran district on Thursday, followed by another seven killed in two separate operations in Panjgur and Kachhi districts on Friday.
