Operation Shaban: Seven more militants killed as death toll reaches 64

WEBDESK: Security forces have killed five more militants during the ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan, with the latest action increasing the number of militants killed under Operation Shaban to 64.

According to the sources since July 5, a total of 102 terrorists have been killed in Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations..

According to Pakistan TV, the joint operation, involving the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and police, remains underway across the province, with coordinated air and ground operations targeting militant hideouts.

Security sources said the campaign would continue “until all militant networks operating in the area had been dismantled.”

Since July 5, a total of 88 militants have been killed in Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations carried out in the province. Following the latest operation, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the Pakistan Army, FC Balochistan and police for their efforts against militancy.

Naqvi paid tribute to the forces’ unwavering resolve and bravery, saying they had thwarted the enemy’s “nefarious designs”. He said the sacrifices and achievements of the security forces in restoring peace to Balochistan would be remembered as a golden chapter in the country’s history.

The interior minister described militants as a burden on the country and its people, stressing that their complete elimination was essential. He also vowed that those seeking to undermine peace would find no place to hide.

‘No compromise in the fight against terrorism’

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, more than 54 militants were killed while 42 security personnel and civilians lost their lives during intelligence-based operations and armed engagements across the province over four days. The casualties included 27 Balochistan police personnel, 11 army personnel and four civilians.

The violence began on the night of July 6 when militants attacked the Mangi police check post near Mangi Dam in Ziarat district. Nine police personnel were killed during the initial assault. Before reinforcements could reach the remote mountainous area, the attackers overpowered the remaining officers, disarmed them and took 18 hostage. Despite being outnumbered, the police reportedly killed 15 militants during the initial exchange.

A large-scale search and clearance operation was launched the following day by the Pakistan Army, FC and other law enforcement agencies. Security forces refrained from using air power and heavy weapons to minimise the risk to the hostages. However, the military later said the militants killed all 18 captive police personnel before the final clearance operation, in which another 11 militants were killed, taking the total number of militants killed in the Ziarat operation to 26.

Elsewhere, militants from the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attacked an army convoy on the N-25 highway near Bela-Winder, killing 11 soldiers, including a junior commissioned officer. The military said 14 BLA militants were killed in the ensuing gun battle. Separate intelligence-based operations also resulted in six militants being killed in Kharan and eight in Dalbandin.

The military has described the ongoing campaign as part of its broader effort to eliminate militant networks operating in Balochistan. It has maintained that there will be no compromise in the fight against terrorism and has pledged to continue operations against militants, their facilitators and financiers. The latest Operation Shaban figures indicate that the number of militants killed has continued to rise since those initial operations.