ISLAMABAD / QUETTA — Security forces neutralized three additional terrorists during an ongoing intelligence-based operation in the Khad Kocha area of Balochistan’s Mastung district on Saturday. According to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, the latest casualties have raised the total number of insurgents eliminated under Operation Al-Azm in the sector to 13.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for their precision, stating that targeted actions under Operation Al-Azm would continue across Balochistan until militant networks are fully dismantled.
Security forces have intensified counterterrorism operations under Operation Al-Azm across Balochistan, killing 13 terrorists in intelligence-based operations. The latest raid in Mastung’s Khad Kucha area destroyed terrorist hideouts and led to the recovery of weapons, explosives…
— Balochistan Pulse (@BalochPulse) July 25, 2026
Escalating Tally Under Operation Al-Azm
The clearance operation in Khad Kocha was launched after a deadly attack on Wednesday, when armed men targeted a Karachi-bound passenger coach coming from Quetta, killing three civilians and injuring five others. An indefinite curfew remains in place to support ongoing clearance efforts.
| Operational Timeline | Neutralized / Apprehended | Details & Recoveries |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday (July 23) | 6 Terrorists Killed | Hideouts destroyed; female suicide bombers and key logistical facilitators taken into custody. |
| Friday (July 24) | 4 Terrorists Killed | Weapons, ammunition, and IED-making components seized from foreign-backed hideouts. |
| Saturday (July 25) | 3 Terrorists Killed | Hideouts dismantled; multiple insurgents reported wounded as sweep continues. |
State media reported that the slain militants belonged to Fitna-al-Hindustan, the official term used for Balochistan-based insurgent groups to underscore foreign sponsorship and efforts to destabilise the region.
Heightened Regional Tensions & Political Push for Dialogue
The security situation in the province remains tense following several high-profile attacks. On Thursday, armed assailants shot dead District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his police guard while they were travelling towards Mastung.
The current counter-terrorism campaign follows the earlier Operation Shaban, during which security forces eliminated 91 terrorists between July 5 and July 16. This has pushed the total number of militants neutralized in provincial operations this month beyond 130.
Alongside the military operations, provincial authorities have stressed the importance of political engagement. Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove, while meeting tribal and political leaders on Friday, said the government remains open to structured dialogue and noted that parliament is the primary platform for addressing regional grievances.
