Two militants killed in Balochistan’s Washuk during intelligence-led operation

Two militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Washuk district, to Pakistan Television (PTV), reported on Monday, citing security sources.

According to state-run media, security forces carried out the operation in the Palantak area as part of the ongoing Operation Radd-ul-Fitna against what authorities refer to as Fitna al Hindustan.

The state broadcaster said the two militants were allegedly involved in attacks targeting the Mashkhel police station and the Customs House.

During the operation, the militants’ vehicle was destroyed, while security personnel recovered a significant cache of weapons and ammunition, PTV reported.

The operation comes amid heightened security activity in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Last week, security forces reported killing 11 militants in separate intelligence-based operations conducted in the two provinces.

According to a monthly assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, violence-related deaths in Balochistan rose sharply in July with 372 deaths, as compared with 109 in June, representing a 241 per cent increase. It said 238 militants were killed during the month, up from 75 in June. Deaths among security personnel also climbed substantially, rising from six in June to 62 in July, while civilian fatalities increased from 28 to 54. The report further said 18 members of peace committees were killed during the month.