Balochistan | Pakistan

BALOCHISTAN bled again this past week — for the rest of the country. In reality, it is the part of the homeland that has rarely ever stopped bleeding over the past 20 years. But for those of us who live a long way from the province, we only become aware of the festering wound when the sepsis sets in. And that is what happened last week with the incidents in Quetta and Ziarat. The manner in which the events unfolded in Ziarat was heart-breaking and by the time the attack took place in Lasbela, the death toll was far too horrific to even comprehend. But there is a greater tragedy. And that is the inability of those in power to approach the crisis in Balochistan with any empathy and political will to heal. The causes of the ailment have been discussed at length — the alienation of the people; the rise of the middle class youth and the roots of its anger; the absence of a genuine political process. It is a political problem that needs a political solution, along with counter-insurgency operations. The people need...

Security forces have killed another eight terrorists during the ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan, following which the total number of terrorists killed in the operation reached 79, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Monday, citing security sources. Operation Shaban is being jointly carried out across the province by the army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police following the terrorist July 7 attack in the Mangi Dam area, in which 27 police personnel were martyred. Security forces are targeting the terrorists through both aerial and ground operations, the Radio Pakistan report said. It further quoted security sources as saying that a total of 117 terrorists had been killed during Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations in Balochistan since July 5. Separately, a statement shared on the interior ministry’s X account said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi commended the army and Balochistan FC and police for killing five more terrorists. “He commended the professional capabili...

Security forces have killed another five terrorists during the ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan, following which the total number of terrorists killed in the operation reached 76, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Monday, citing security sources. Operation Shaban is being jointly carried out across the province by the army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police following the terrorist July 7 attack in the Mangi Dam area, in which 27 police personnel were martyred. Security forces are targeting the terrorists through both aerial and ground operations, the Radio Pakistan report said. It further quoted security sources as saying that a total of 114 terrorists had been killed during Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations in Balochistan since July 5. Separately, a statement shared on the interior ministry’s X account said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi commended the army and Balochistan FC and police for killing five more terrorists. “He commended the professional capabilit...

Total number of terrorists killed across Balochistan since July 5 rises to 114

Security forces killed another seven terrorists during the ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan, following which the total number of terrorists killed in the operation reached 71, according to state-run Radio Pakistan. Operation Shaban is being jointly carried out across the province by the army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police following the terrorist July 7 attack in the Mangi Dam area, in which 27 police personnel were martyred. Citing security sources, Radio Pakistan said a total of 109 “khawarij terrorists” have been killed in Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations in Balochistan since July 5. The outlet had earlier reported that three terrorists were killed, and later said another four were eliminated in the Saran Tangi area. Security sources said a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the possession of the killed terrorists. The recovered weapons include M4 rifles, submachine guns, rocket launchers, mobile phones, and other equipment. Security sources reaffirm...

Security forces killed another three terrorists during the ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan, following which the total number of terrorists killed in the operation reached 67, according to state broadcaster PTV News. The operation is being jointly carried out by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police following the terrorist attack in the Mangi Dam area, in which several cops were martyred on July 7. PTV News reported that air and ground operations against Fitna-al-Khawarij — a term the state uses for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan — were ongoing. The state broadcaster reported that the total number of terrorists killed during Operation Shahban and other intelligence-based operations carried out since July 5 in Balochistan had reached 105. Security sources said on Friday that security forces, including the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and police, had been conducting a joint operation in Quetta district’s Shaban area since July 5 against terrorists involved in the killing of 27 ...

THE latest surge of violence in Balochistan has once again compelled Pakistan’s civil and military leadership to reaffirm its resolve to eliminate terrorism. During a high-level visit to Quetta following a series of deadly attacks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, during a provincial apex committee meeting, declared that the country’s political and military leadership had reached a “mutual and singular decision” to eradicate terrorism. While the apex committee was meeting in Quetta to discuss the implementation of the National Action Plan, another, less visible process involving the local community was unfolding only a short distance away. In the Hanna Urak area, a jirga of local elders was engaged in direct negotiations with an armed group that had abducted several citizens. Apparently, the elders secured the hostages’ release without any visible involvement of the district administration or provincial government. The abductors reportedly claimed affiliation with the banned TTP, al...

Citing security sources, state media reported on Saturday that 23 more terrorists had been killed in ongoing operations in Balochistan, taking the overall tally since July 5 to 102. 102 12 terrorists belonging to Fitna al Khawarij were killed by security forces in the latest round of operations, state media reported, quoting security forces. Security forces also killed two terrorists linked to Fitna al Hindustan during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) near the N-25 crossing in in the province, Radio Pakistan reported. Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, while Fitna al Hindustan is a term designated by the state for terrorist organisations in Balo­chistan. The security sources added that security personnel recovered weapons, hand grenades, a motorcycle, mobile phones, flags of a banned outfit and other equipment from the two men. The kinetic actions in the province are being carried out under Operation Shaban, a high-intensity count...

The Balochistan government has announced several measures to restructure administrative units in the province, including splitting Quetta district into East Quetta and West Quetta, it emerged on Saturday. According to a notification issued by the Balochistan government’s Revenue Department on July 8, new divisions, districts, sub-divisions, tehsils and sub-tehsils have been created, while the boundaries of existing divisions and districts have also been realigned. As a result, the number of divisions in Balochistan now stands at 11, and the number of districts has risen to 41. One of the major decisions was the bifurcation of Quetta district into East Quetta and West Quetta along the railway line. East Quetta now comprises the Saddar, City and Sariab sub-divisions, while West Quetta consists of Kuchlak and the newly created Brewery and Panjpai sub-divisions. Brewery tehsil has also been introduced. Mastung district has been detached from Kalat division and included in Quetta division, which now has three dist...

Citing security sources, state-run Pakistan TV reported on Saturday that nine more terrorists had been killed in the ongoing operation in Balochistan, taking the overall tally since July 5 to 88. “Operation Shaban continues across Balochistan as the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and police intensify coordinated air and ground operations against terrorist hideouts,” it said on the social media platform X. “According to security sources, nine terrorists were killed in the latest action, taking the total eliminated under Operation Shaban to 52 and the overall tally since July 5, including intelligence-based operations, to 88,” it said. “Security sources say the operation will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated,” it added. Security sources said on Friday that security forces, including the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and police, had been conducting a joint operation in Quetta district’s Shaban area since July 5 against terrorists involved in the killing of 27 police personnel during an attack on a ...

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Friday stated that a total of 75 terrorists had been killed since July 5 in various intelligence-based operations in the province. In a post on social media platform X, CM Bugti said: “Operation Shaban is progressing successfully following the terrorist attack on Mangi Dam Police Station.” He elaborated that 39 terrorists had been killed in Operation Shaban as a result of joint ground and air operations by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police in rugged mountainous areas, while a total of 75 terrorists had been killed in various intelligence-based operations since July 5. Bugti further said that a terrorist attack on Zehri Police Station in the Kachhar area of Balochistan had also been foiled today. “The writ of the state will be maintained in Balochistan at any cost; terrorists cannot escape their fate,” he declared. A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the country’s civil and military leadership had taken a “mutual and singular deci...

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Friday stated that a total of 75 terrorists had been killed since July 5 in various intelligence-based operations in the province. In a post on social media platform X, CM Bugti said: “Operation Shaban is progressing successfully following the terrorist attack on Mangi Dam Police Station.” He elaborated that 39 terrorists had been killed in Operation Shaban as a result of joint ground and air operations by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police in rugged mountainous areas, while a total of 75 terrorists had been killed in various intelligence-based operations since July 5. Bugti further said that a terrorist attack on Zehri Police Station in the Kachhar area of Balochistan had also been foiled today. “The writ of the state will be maintained in Balochistan at any cost; terrorists cannot escape their fate,” he declared. A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the country’s civil and military leadership had taken a “mutual and singular deci...

THE security situation in Balochistan remains alarming, with a recent uptick in terrorist violence resulting in a large number of casualties amongst security forces. The seriousness of the situation can be gauged from the fact that the country’s top civilian and military leaders — led by the prime minister and chief of defence forces — were in Quetta yesterday to take stock of matters. On Tuesday, the ISPR chief, while addressing the media, discussed law and order issues in the province, mentioning that a large number of security personnel and civilians had lost their lives in separate attacks since July 5. The martyred included four civilians in Hanna Urak, at least 27 policemen in Ziarat, and 11 soldiers in Bela-Winder. A number of terrorists were also eliminated in retaliatory operations. The military says the banned TTP was responsible for the Ziarat outrage while the proscribed BLA was behind the Bela ambush. The ISPR chief, while indicating the state would give no quarter to terrorists, also pointed out...

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was comprehensively briefed on the overall security environment in Balochistan, with a particular focus on recent terrorist incidents, ongoing intelligence-based operations, and measures being undertaken by the military and the law enforcement agencies for the safety and security of the province’s.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said the country’s civil and military leadership had taken a “mutual and singular decision” to end terrorism after multiple major terrorist incidents in Balochistan in recent days. He made the remarks at a meeting in Quetta of the Provincial Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, with Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir also present. Chairing the meeting, PM Shehbaz declared, “One thing is decided: it is a mutual and singular decision of the civil and military leadership that we must end terrorism collectively.” He said the civil and military leaders had gathered in Balochistan after “very serious incidents took place in the past four days”, resulting in the martyrdom of policemen, soldiers and civilians. Noting that 54 terrorists were killed while responding to those attacks and in subsequent operations, he affirmed, “This war [against terrorism] will continue until the last fasaadi (vicious) terrorist in Pakistan i...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is chairing a high-level meeting in Quetta to discuss the security situation in Balochistan after multiple major terrorist incidents in the province in recent days. Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir was also present at the meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee on the National Action Plan to counter terrorism. Addressing the meeting, PM Shehbaz said they had gathered in Balochistan after “very serious incidents took place in the past four days”, resulting in the martyrdom of policemen, soldiers and civilians. Noting that 54 terrorists were killed while responding to those attacks and in subsequent operations, he affirmed, “This war [against terrorism] will continue until the last fasaadi terrorist in Pakistan is eliminated.” “The brave soldiers and officers of the armed forces rendered sacrifices and sacrificed their blood, along with law enforcement agencies and innocent civilians,” he noted. The prime minister affirmed that the...

QUETTA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee under the National Action Plan (NAP) in Quetta to review the overall law and order and security situation in Balochistan amid a recent surge in terrorist attacks.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Wednesday said four civilians, 27 policemen and 11 security personnel had been martyred, while 54 terrorists had been killed in terrorist attacks and subsequent operations in Balochistan since July 5. Highlights: 4 citizens die in armed attack in Hanna Urak on outskirts of Quetta on July 4/5 9 policemen martyred, 15 terrorists killed in July 6 attack on Ziarat checkpost 18 policemen martyred, 11 terrorists killed so far in ongoing Ziarat clearance operation 11 soldiers lose lives, 14 terrorists eliminated in today’s attack on army convoy in Bela-Winder 6 terrorists killed in Kharan operation, 8 in Dalbandin “We will hunt you, and we will hurt you everywhere,” DG ISPR declares Addressing a press briefing in Rawalpindi, the DG ISPR noted that there have been “three major terrorist incidents” in the past four days. He provided details of each of those incidents — an armed attack on the outskirts of Quetta on July ...

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Wednesday said security forces had eliminated 54 terrorists during a series of operations launched in response to three major terrorist attacks in Balochistan over the past four days, while 42 civilians and security personnel lost their.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry is currently addressing a press conference. The press briefing comes amid persisting security concerns in the country, particularly Balochistan. The DG ISPR said he would provide details of the recent terrorist incidents in Balochistan and inform about the background of those. He noted that there have been “three major terrorist incidents” in the past four days. The first took place on July 4/July 5 when “Fitna al Khawarij terrorists attacked the innocent local population” in Hanna Urak, he said, adding that the residents fought back very valiantly and “forced those terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna Al Khwarij to flee”. The Pakistani government uses the term “Fitna al-Khawarij” to refer to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates. “During that, four brave innocent citizens were martyred and six were injured,” Lt Gen Chaudhry said. Detailing the second incident, he recalled that FAK terrorists ca...