TODAY’S PAPER | February 22, 2026 | EPAPER

92 terrorists killed, 15 security personnel martyred as attacks foiled across Balochistan: ISPR

Says multiple locations targeted, 18 civilians killed, total of 133 terrorists killed in past few days


Sardar Hameed Khan January 31, 2026 10 min read
Army soldiers gather at the site following millitant attacks in Quetta on January 31. Photo: Reuters

QUETTA/ ISLAMABAD:

Ninety-two terrorists were killed as security forces fought off a series of coordinated attacks at multiple locations across Balochistan on Saturday, with 15 security personnel also martyred in combat, according to the military's media wing.

In a statement issued on Saturday night after the day of attacks, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said: "Terrorists of Indian sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan attempted to disturb peace of Balochistan by conducting multiple terrorist activities around Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.

"On behest of their foreign masters, these cowardly acts of terrorism were aimed at disrupting the lives of local populace and development of Balochistan by targeting innocent civilians in District Gwadar and Kharan, wherein, terrorists maliciously targeted 18 innocent civilians (including women, children, elderly and labours) who embraced martyrdom."

The ISPR said that security Forces and law enforcement agencies immediately responded and successfully thwarted the "evil design of terrorists" by displaying "unwavering courage and professional excellence".

It said the military's "valiant troops carried out engagement of terrorists with precision and after prolong, intense and daring clearance operation across Balochistan, sent 92 terrorists, including three suicide bombers, to hell, ensuring security and protection of local populace".

The ISPR added that during the clearance operations and intense standoffs, "15 brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly, made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom".

https://x.com/PTVNewsOfficial/status/2017674184487526714

It further said that sanitisation operations in these areas were being continuously conducted and vowed that the instigators, perpetrators, facilitators and abettors of the "heinous and cowardly acts" targeting innocent civilians and personnel of law enforcement agencies personals would be brought to justice.

"Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed that the attacks were orchestrated and directed by terrorists ring leaders operating from outside Pakistan, who were in direct communication with the terrorists throughout the incident," the ISPR noted.

It said that a day ago, 41 terrorists of Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khwarij were killed in Panjgur and Harnai, adding that combined with the successful operations in the last two days, the total number of terrorists killed in the ongoing operations in Balochistan had reached 133.

"Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorist found in the area. Relentless counterterrorism campaign under vision 'Azm-e-Istehkam' (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country," the ISPR concluded.

Security sources earlier said that five members of a Baloch labourer family from Khuzdar, including a woman and three children, were killed by terrorists in Gwadar.

BBC Urdu also reported, quoting local police, that seven people, including Mir Shahid Gul Malazi, chairman of the Malazi National Alliance, were killed in an attack on his house in Kharan district. Police said that his house and car were also set on fire by attackers.

“Terrorists attempted to carry out attacks at several locations in the province, which police and the FC foiled through timely action,” provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind wrote on the microblogging site X. Officials said the situation remained fluid, adding that they were closely monitoring developments and taking all necessary measures to protect civilians and restore normalcy.

Sharing details of the attacks in the provincial capital, police said heavily armed terrorists targeted a police mobile unit on Sariab Road, killing two policemen and injuring three others. The vehicle caught fire following the attack.

Two men were also injured in a blast near Hockey Chowk in the Red Zone, which was subsequently sealed. Work at the Civil Secretariat, courts, and several government offices was temporarily suspended as a precaution.

Terrorists later attacked the Khaliq Shaheed Police Station in the Eastern Bypass area, with reports of casualties. Videos circulating on social media showed an attack on Sheikh Zayed Hospital along the Quetta-Karachi road. Gunmen also targeted private banks in Hazarganji and briefly entered a private school on Zarghoon Road, police said.

Firing was reported on several major arteries, including Sariab Road, Qambrani Road and Zarghoon Road, as security forces engaged terrorists in multiple firefights. Security checkpoints were established at Quetta’s entry and exit points, and residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel.

Mobile data services were suspended in Quetta, while internet services were temporarily shut down in some other parts of Balochistan. Emergency measures were imposed at government hospitals across the province.

Read More: 41 terrorists killed in two separate operations in Balochistan: ISPR

In Mastung, Kalat and Pasni, terrorists attempted to target government buildings and security installations. Several people were injured in gun and bomb attacks in Mastung, where terrorists also freed more than 30 prisoners from the Central Jail. Clashes were reported near the DC headquarters and Police Lines in Kalat.

In Noshki, terrorists abducted Deputy Commissioner Hussain Hazara along with his family and later released a video showing the official in captivity. In Pasni, a Coast Guards post came under attack but security forces successfully repelled the assault, officials said.

Authorities closed the Quetta-Sibi highway at Bolan, shut the Quetta-Karachi-Taftan highway at Lak Pass, and blocked the Qila Saifullah-Rakhni road. In Nasirabad, security forces defused explosive material planted on a railway track.

Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the attacks would not “break our resolve against terrorism”, vowing that the terrorists would be hunted down until the last one was eliminated.

The banned separatist terrorist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks in a social media post, describing the coordinated assault as the second phase of “Operation Heroof.”

The BLA and other Baloch groups have been officially designated as “Fitna al-Hindustan” as the government claims they are acting as proxies of India, which wants to destabilise Pakistan through hybrid warfare. BLA’s suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, has developed a nexus with other anti-Pakistan terrorist outfits operating out of Afghanistan, according to officials.

Security sources claimed that Indian media outlets and India-linked social media accounts have gone into overdrive in blatant support for Fitna al-Hindustan during the synchronised attacks. They said this coordination further highlighted a close nexus between Baloch groups and hostile information campaigns.

Terror nexus

Two senior BLA commanders were killed late last year in Afghanistan and Iran under mysterious circumstances, lending credence to Pakistan’s claims that these groups are foreign proxies. Captain Rahman Gul, also known as Gul Rahman and Ustad Mureed, a senior commander of BLA’s suicide wing Majeed Brigade, was killed on September 17, 2025, in Helmand province, Afghanistan, by unidentified gunmen.

Also Read: Field Marshal Munir says Pakistan Army shifting to tech-led, multi-domain warfare

Described by sources as one of the most dangerous figures within the BLA hierarchy, Gul served as deputy commander of the Majeed Brigade and was the mastermind behind the Jaffar Express train hijacking in March 2025.

The second senior BLA commander to be eliminated was Jaafar, also known as Amin and Mulla Amin, who led the Majeed Brigade’s specially constituted “Fateh Squad,” responsible for suicide attacks and urban warfare. He was killed in the third week of November 2025 in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province. Jaafar had assumed leadership of the Fateh Squad following the killing of Rahman Gul.

Intelligence sources have confirmed that the BLA and other Baloch groups maintain a presence in Afghanistan, with senior leadership hiding in Kandahar and Kabul. The Ain-o-Mina area of Kandahar serves as a key base, while terrorists in Kabul are embedded in civilian localities such as Pul-e-Khishti and Wazir Akbar Khan.

Sources also said BLA training camps are located in Afghanistan’s Nimroz province, facilitating cross-border movement between Iran and Pakistan. Two major operational bases in Helmand province’s Naghai and Sangin areas continue to be used to launch attacks into Pakistan, posing a persistent security threat.

Intelligence assessments have further revealed an expanding coordination network linking multiple terror outfits, including TTP-Jamaatul Ahrar, the Majeed Brigade, and other transnational organisations.

Condemnations

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari praised security forces for what he called effective operations against threats to peace in Balochistan. The president commended the armed forces and law enforcement agencies for their “professional competence” in foiling infiltration attempts by terrorists at multiple locations, according to a statement issued by the Presidency.

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He paid tribute to security personnel and innocent civilians who lost their lives during the operations. “There will be no compromise on peace in Balochistan, the protection of citizens and national unity,” he added. “The state will continue to act with full strength and unity against externally backed hostile elements and their facilitators.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised security forces for thwarting what he described as organised attacks aimed at destabilising peace in Balochistan, according to a statement issued by his office.

He paid tribute to 10 security personnel who were martyred during the operations, saying they had given their lives while prioritising the defence of the country. “I, along with the entire nation, am proud of our martyrs,” he said.

The prime minister said security forces continue to defend the country without regard for their own lives and vowed to continue the fight until terrorism is eliminated. “In this unwavering resolve to protect the homeland, the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan armed forces,” he said.

"The state is resolute. The morale of our law enforcement agencies is high, and we will bring the terrorists, their facilitators, and the foreign handlers to their logical end," said Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

Speaking in an interview on a private media broadcaster, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the attacks reflected the Fitna-al-Hindustan's “desperation”, adding that security forces remained alert at all locations and were not caught off guard, enabling them to repel what he described as a large-scale assault.

He expressed grief over the martyrdom of Baloch labourers’ families, blaming BLA terrorists, and said security forces were pursuing the attackers with aerial surveillance in place. Tarar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was fully apprised of the situation and remained in constant contact with the relevant authorities.

Balochistan Planning Minister Zahoor Buledi said the province would not be held hostage by the terrorists.

He said CM Bugti had cut short his Islamabad engagements, including a meeting with the World Bank president and returned to Quetta immediately to resume official work during the situation.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also praised the security forces and paid tribute to the martyrs.

The British High Commission also condemned the attacks. "Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives and all those affected. We stand with Pakistan in rejecting terrorism and in our shared commitment to peace and security," it added.

The Turkish embassy and Saudi Arabia also condemned the attacks while expressing solidarity with Pakistan.

 

(With additional input from News Desk)

COMMENTS (2)

JC | 3 weeks ago | Reply It is most likely other way around. 10 terrorists killed and 67 soldiers killed.
Benjamin | 3 weeks ago | Reply Most of the Pakistan Security Forces Army and Police are Punjabis who just want to wipe out Baloch looting natural resources gas minerals pocketed by PM Shehbaz Sharif government including COAS Asim Munir. Daily Telegraph also stated that there s Opium cultivation near the border between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunwala.
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