Pakistan Kills 13 Militants in Balochistan Counter-Terrorism Campaign

The Government of Pakistan conducted a series of intelligence-based operations in Balochistan province between July 22 and July 25, 2026, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 militants. These raids, part of the Azm-e-Istehkam counter-terrorism campaign, primarily targeted the groups Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khwarij in the Surab and Mastung districts. Security forces destroyed multiple hideouts and seized caches of weapons, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices.

In Mastung, forces killed several militants and apprehended a facilitator along with two female suicide bombers identified as members of the India-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan. During search operations in the Khad Kocha area of Mastung, militants opened fire on a passenger bus, killing three civilians and injuring three others. Separately, on July 22, seven bodies bearing gunshot wounds were recovered from five different districts in Balochistan, renewing allegations from human rights groups regarding extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, which Pakistani authorities deny.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attributed the violence to an organized conspiracy, stating that India's role in these activities was clear. He also criticized the Afghan Taliban for failing to prevent its territory from being used by militants. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the professionalism of the security forces as the military continues sanitization operations to neutralize remaining support networks.