Security sources say forces destroyed several militant hideouts, recovered weapons and explosive materials
Security forces killed 16 terrorists during ongoing intelligence operations under Operation Al-Azm in Balochistan, where several militant hideouts were also destroyed and weapons and explosives recovered, security sources said on Sunday.
The intelligence operations were launched following the terrorist attacks in the region. Previously, security forces had launched Operation Shaban after terrorists attacked the Mangi Dam police station.
A district and sessions judge and his security guard were also killed after unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle on the national highway in Mastung, while another sessions judge and another person were seriously injured.
The sources said counterterrorism operations continued in several parts of the province, including Killi Kundi Umrani, Khad Kocha and Mastung, where the group referred to by the state as Fitna al-Hindustan had suffered heavy losses.
Fitna al-Hindustan is the state’s term for terrorists belonging to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other militant groups operating in the province.
According to the sources, security forces destroyed several hideouts and ambush positions of the militants during the operation and recovered weapons and explosive materials from the sites.
The sources added that the operations would continue until terrorism is eliminated from Balochistan and peace and order are fully restored.
Read: Naqvi chairs high-level security meeting in Quetta, pledges support to Balochistan
Chief of Defense Force and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Friday expressed resolve to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Balochistan, saying the constant efforts of security and law enforcement agencies, backed by the unwavering support of the people, would bring lasting peace to the province.
Munir said: “Targeted operations against Fitna Al Khawarij And Fitna al Hindustan will continue with determination until the menace of terrorism and its accomplices are eliminated from Pakistan.
UN Security Council confirms increase in TTP attacks from Afghanistan
Terrorism has increased significantly in Pakistan, especially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, in recent days. The rise in terrorist activities has led to growing concerns about the security situation in these regions. In response, security forces have carried out intensive operations to counter the threat, targeting terrorist groups.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), in a report released in February, also drew attention to a series of attacks by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) against Pakistani security forces and projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
“On September 16, 2025, the BLA ambushed a Pakistani military convoy patrolling the corridor, killing 32 soldiers. Even though Pakistan-led counterterrorism operations limited the BLA’s operational space, it remained active.”
The report adds that some member states reported that the BLA collaborated with the TTP and ISIL-K through training camps and shared resources, coordinating attacks and meetings between commanders. Some Member States considered that there was no association or growing links between the BLA and Al-Qaeda or ISIL.
Learn more: Number of terrorists killed in Operation Al-Azm in Balochistan reaches 13
He further pointed out that various groups in Afghanistan had acquired modern weapons and equipment through cross-border smuggling and black market. “The TTP used advanced assault rifles, night vision devices, thermal imaging devices, sniper systems and drone attack systems. Most of these were provided by the de facto authorities in conjunction with weapons permits and travel documents,” it said.
In August 2025, the 1988 UN Taliban Sanctions Committee Monitoring Team Annual Report stated that the banned terrorist groups – BLA, including its Majeed Brigade, and TTP had “close coordination”.
The UNSC report said “some BLA attacks showed a high degree of complexity and brutality,” citing the hijacking of the Jaffar Express in Balochistan on March 11, 2025, which killed 31 people, including 21 hostages.
