Security forces killed nine more terrorists in the ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan, taking the overall number of terrorists killed since July 5 to 88, state-run Pakistan TV reported on Saturday.
Operation Shaban Intensifies Across Balochistan
In a post on X, Pakistan TV said, "Operation Shaban continues across Balochistan as the Pakistan Army, FC Balochistan and Police intensify coordinated air and ground operations against terrorist hideouts." 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. Security sources say the operation will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated.
Decisive Phase in Mountainous Regions
On Friday, security forces significantly tightened the net around terrorists belonging to 'Fitna al-Khawarij' as Operation Shaaban entered a decisive phase in the rugged mountainous areas of Balochistan, with ground and aerial operations continuing against terrorist positions. Under the operation, jointly conducted by the Pakistan Army, FC and Balochistan Police, along with other counterterrorism campaigns, 75 terrorists were killed since July 5, when a terrorist attack on the Mangi Dam Police Station in Ziarat triggered a coordinated response by the security forces.
Terrorist Attack Repelled in Khuzdar
In another major development, security forces repelled a fresh terrorist attack on a police station in the Zehri area of Khuzdar. Rapid action by the Pakistan Army and the FC led to the confirmed killing of eight terrorists during the assault, preventing the attackers from achieving their objective. Sources further said helicopter operations in the area reportedly eliminated another five to six terrorists attempting to escape. They added that ground and aerial operations remain active across several mountainous regions of Balochistan as security forces continue to pursue fleeing terrorists.
Coordinated Terrorist Attacks Prompt Response
According to official accounts, the latest operations follow a series of coordinated terrorist attacks carried out over the past week in different parts of Balochistan. The ongoing campaign aims to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and deny militants the ability to regroup following the recent wave of attacks in the province. Earlier this week, Director General, Inter-Services Public Relations, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said those attacks resulted in the martyrdom of 42 civilians and security personnel. The attacks prompted security forces to launch extensive ground and aerial operations targeting those responsible and their facilitators.
Leadership Hails Operation Success
The federal leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Friday hailed the operation as a major success and praised the performance of the security forces participating in the campaign. President Zardari paid tribute to the Army, FC and the Balochistan Police for the successful execution of 'Operation Shaaban'. Commending the professionalism of the forces, the president said the operation had once again demonstrated their capability to confront every threat facing the country. According to a statement issued by the Presidency, President Zardari said inimical elements using proxy groups against Pakistan would not succeed in their designs because the country's national resolve remained stronger than any conspiracy.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised the security forces, saying the elimination of 75 terrorists during the ongoing campaign reflected the high level of professionalism displayed by the Pakistan Army, FC and other participating forces. The ongoing campaign forms part of Pakistan's broader counterterrorism drive, under which authorities have intensified intelligence-based operations and strengthened security measures to dismantle terrorist networks and their logistical infrastructure.
Army Chief Vows to Crush Cross-Border Terrorism
Speaking at the National Defence University in Islamabad earlier this week, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said terrorism originating from across Pakistan's borders would be crushed with the full might of the state.
