Pakistan Forces Kill 10 Militants, Arrest Two Female Suicide Bombers in Balochistan

Pakistan's security forces have killed 10 militants and apprehended two female suicide bombers and their facilitator during anti-terror operations in the restive Balochistan province, according to the military.

The operations were conducted in the Surab and Mastung districts as part of an ongoing security campaign against militant groups operating in the province. The military's media wing said seven militants were killed in Surab and three in Mastung during multiple intelligence-based and targeted operations.

The two female suicide bombers and their alleged facilitator were arrested in Mastung, while security forces reportedly recovered weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the areas where the operations were conducted.

Pakistan's military described the campaign as an effort against "Fitna al Khawarij," the term used by authorities for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The operations involved targeted action against suspected militant positions, followed by area sanitisation efforts, the military said.

The latest action comes amid heightened security concerns in Balochistan, which has witnessed repeated militant attacks in recent months. Security forces and law enforcement agencies had earlier launched Operation Shaban following a deadly attack on a police post at the Mangi Dam pumping station in Ziarat on July 6, in which 27 policemen were killed.

The intensified counter-terror operations reflect Pakistan's efforts to dismantle militant networks and prevent further attacks in the province. However, Balochistan continues to face a complex security environment, with militant violence posing a persistent challenge to law enforcement and civilian security.