RAWALPINDI: Security forces killed two suspected militants and wounded three others during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Killi Zaik area on Monday, security sources said, as counterterrorism operations intensify in the province.
The operation was conducted between Killi Zaik and Kaghli, about 12 kilometers north of the Baseema camp, after security forces received intelligence about the presence of militants in the area, according to the sources.
During the operation, troops recovered ammunition, hand grenades, magazines and material allegedly used to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the sources said.
The latest operation was carried out under Operation Rad-ul-Fitna-3, an ongoing counterterrorism campaign that the military’s media wing has described as targeting militant networks and Indian proxies.
The action came a day after security forces killed seven India-backed militants during an intelligence-based operation in the Lajay area of Kharan district, according to security sources.
The Kharan operation was launched after security personnel received information about the presence of militants in the area. The back-to-back operations underscore the continuing security challenges faced by Balochistan.
Pakistan has witnessed a sustained rise in militant violence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since 2021, when the Afghan Taliban returned to power.
A report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies identified the two provinces as Pakistan’s main violence hotspots during the second quarter of 2026.
The report recorded 740 violence-related fatalities nationwide during the quarter. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounted for 475 deaths, or more than 61% of the total, while Balochistan recorded 265 deaths, representing about 34%.
Combined, the two provinces accounted for nearly 96% of all violence-related fatalities recorded across Pakistan during the three-month period.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also recorded the highest number of violent incidents, with 151 cases, or 57% of the national total. Balochistan followed with 94 incidents, accounting for 35%.
The continued operations reflect the military and security agencies’ focus on intelligence-based action against militant networks, particularly in areas where armed groups have maintained a presence.
The recovery of weapons, ammunition and suspected IED-making material during the Killi Zaik operation also highlights the potential threat posed by militant networks operating in the region.
With Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continuing to account for the overwhelming majority of violence-related deaths and incidents in Pakistan, security forces face sustained pressure to disrupt militant networks and prevent further attacks.
The latest operations come as authorities continue efforts to contain militant activity and improve security in some of the country’s most affected areas
