Security forces kill 10 terrorists, arrest two female suicide bombers in Balochistan

Security forces killed 10 terrorists and apprehended two female suicide bombers and a facilitator during multiple intelligence-based operations in Balochistan over the past 48 hours, the military's media wing said on Wednesday.

The intelligence-based operations are part of the recently launched Operation Shaban, a joint operation by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC), and Balochistan Police launched in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Mangi Dam Police Station and remain underway, with forces intensifying action against terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij across the province.

Fitna al-Khawarij is the term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operations were conducted "in continuation of security forces operations against the terrorist nexus of Indian sponsored Fitna al Hindustan and Fitna al Khawarij."

The statement said that comprehensive joint operations are being carried in different parts of Balochistan to weed out remnants of terrorists and their facilitators

According to the ISPR, security forces carried out "multiple intelligence-based area sanitisation and targeted operations in District Surab and District Mastung of Balochistan," during the last 48 hours, "during which ten terrorists were killed."

The military said security forces "effectively engaged the terrorist locations" in Surab district, "killing seven terrorists."

Read: Four more terrorists killed in operation Shabaan: security sources

In a separate operation in Mastung district, "three terrorists were killed, and two female suicide bombers along with a facilitator were also apprehended belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna al Hindustan," the statement said.

The ISPR further said that weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices used by terrorists were also recovered from the terrorists. It added that sanitisation operations were continuing in the area "to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorist found in the area."

Reaffirming its commitment to counter-terrorism, the military said the "relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision 'Azm-e-Istehkam' 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."

In a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for killing the 10 terrorists, saying the operations against militant networks were essential for maintaining national peace.

The president said the security forces' "effective operations against the Indian-sponsored Fitna al Hindustan and Fitna al Khawarij terrorist networks in Balochistan are indispensable for national peace."

President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to combat terrorism, saying "the fight against terrorism fuelled by foreign interference will continue."

He also expressed solidarity with the country's security personnel, saying "the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces and law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism."

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised security forces for carrying out a successful operation, reaffirming the government's resolve to continue the fight against terrorism.

He said, "terrorists are enemies of Balochistan and its people's development and prosperity." PM Shehbaz added that "no one will be allowed to destroy the peace of Balochistan."

Reaffirming the government's commitment to counterterrorism, the prime minister said, "the fight will continue until the scourge of terrorism is eliminated from the country."

UNSC confirms rise in TTP attacks from Afghanistan

Terrorism has significantly increased in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan, in recent days. The rise in terrorist activity has led to growing concerns over the security situation in these regions. In response, security forces have been conducting 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).

Read More: Three more terrorists killed in ongoing Operation Shaban: security sources

"On September 16, 2025, the BLA ambushed a Pakistani military convoy patrolling the corridor, killing 32 troops. While counter-terrorism operations by Pakistan restricted the BLA's operational space, it remained active".

The report added that some member states reported that the BLA collaborated with the TTP and ISIL-K through shared training camps and resources, coordinating attacks and meetings between commanders. Some member states assessed that there was neither an association nor growing ties between the BLA and Al Qaeda or ISIL.

It further highlighted that various groups in Afghanistan had acquired modern weapons and equipment through cross-border smuggling and black-market trade. "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 UN's 1988 Taliban sanctions committee monitoring team's annual report said outlawed 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.