CDF Munir says Balochistan, Pakistan share ‘one and forever’ future

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Asim Munir, said the present and future of Balochistan and Pakistan are “one and forever”, stressing that enduring peace and stability are fundamental to unlocking the province’s economic potential.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), during an interaction with notables and political leadership of Balochistan, CDF Munir highlighted the province’s “talented, resilient, patriotic and proud people”.

"Clear national narrative and lasting peace and stability were essential for attracting investment and translating Balochistan’s abundant human and natural resources into tangible prosperity for its people," he said.

The field marshal said there was no dearth of talent or opportunities among the province’s youth, describing them as “the most vibrant and promising segment of our society”.

"He emphasised that empowering the youth and providing them opportunities to contribute to national progress remains central to sustainable development," the statement added.

The statement further added that CDF Munir said Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan were foreign-sponsored proxies being employed by hostile elements to destabilise Balochistan, obstruct its development and create a wedge between the state and its people.

The federal government last year officially designated all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as 'Fitna al-Hindustan', accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through these outfits. Fitna al-Khawarij is the state-designated term for the banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

He reiterated that such “inimical designs” would be defeated through the collective resolve of the nation and an “unwavering, resolute and decisive response” by the state, ISPR said.

Field Marshal Munir also appreciated the role of Balochistan’s notables and society leaders in promoting peace, strengthening social cohesion and advancing constructive national discourse.

The ISPR also added that he stressed the need to “holistically and without hesitation” counter hostile propaganda, expose false narratives and project the true potential, progress and aspirations of Balochistan and its people.

“The destiny of Balochistan rests only in the hands of the people of Balochistan,” CDF Munir said.

Read: Five terrorists killed in IBO in Balochistan’s Panjgur

"The notables and participants reaffirmed their commitment to peace, development and prosperity in Balochistan and Pakistan. They resolved to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the state and armed forces against all foreign-sponsored threats to peace and stability," the statement added.

They also expressed their resolve to contribute towards people-centric development leading to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Balochistan, where “only truth shall prevail” and inimical forces’ narrative is buried in its own propaganda and fakery, the statement concluded.

Terrorism a growing problem

Terrorism is a growing problem for Pakistan, with the number of attacks rising every year since 2022, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), a global monitoring organisation. Data from ACLED shows attacks in Pakistan rose nearly fourfold to 2,425 in 2025 from 658 in 2022, and over the same period, TTP attacks increased more than sevenfold to 838 from 118.

Although Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has borne the brunt of terrorism, Balochistan has also remained a major target of Indian proxies, which often target civilians and military installations in the province.

In one such attack on the last day of 2025, terrorists targeted innocent civilians in Balochistan’s Gwadar and Kharan districts, where 18 people, including women, children, the elderly and labourers, embraced martyrdom.

The forces continued operations across the provinces against what the state describes as Indian-sponsored terrorists and their proxies, but despite these efforts, the groups have continued to target civilian and defence installations.

To combat the rise in terrorism in Balochistan, high-tempo intelligence-driven operations are being routinely conducted as part of the ongoing "Radd-ul-Fitna-3" campaign, which the military's media wing has described as a counterterrorism operation aimed at eliminating Indian proxies.

Read More: Six terrorists killed in separate IBOs in Balochistan

On Tuesday, Security forces killed more than nine terrorists in different IBOs in Ziarat, Harnai and Surab districts of Balochistan. A day before that, security forces killed six terrorists in separate IBOs in Balochistan, with four killed in an operation in the border area between Ziarat and Harnai and two others in Killi Zaik.

On August 16, seven terrorists affiliated with Fitna-al-Khawarij were killed and several others wounded in an intelligence-based operation in Kharan district, according to security sources. The operation was carried out in the Lajay area of Kharan under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-3 following intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists.

In an operation on August 10, security forces killed five terrorists, including a key commander identified as Wazir, son of Jamal, in Balochistan’s Panjgur district, according to security sources. The operation was carried out in the Sarkeni and Chidgi areas under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-3.

On August 9, security forces killed 15 terrorists in intelligence-based operations across Mastung, Bolan, Washuk, Awaran, Sibi, Khuzdar, Harnai and Noshki under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-3. A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was also recovered, while the operations significantly disrupted the terrorists’ network and restricted their movement across Balochistan, the sources said.