Pakistan security forces kill 18 terrorists in Balochistan province

Pakistan security forces killed 18 terrorists in two intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan’s Chiltan mountain range of Quetta district and the Buleda area of Kech district, the army said on Thursday. The action is part of a series of intensified military operations in the province, which has seen repeated insurgent attacks and counter-offensives in recent months.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), troops launched simultaneous operations on Wednesday night after receiving intelligence about the presence of armed militants. “Following an intense exchange of fire, 14 terrorists were killed in Chiltan and another four in Kech,” the ISPR said. A large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was also recovered from the sites, it added.

Security forces have since continued search operations in the adjoining areas to track remaining members of the groups.

President Asif Ali Zardari praised the forces for their success, calling the operation “a reflection of Pakistan’s unyielding resolve to eradicate terrorism.”

The killings come amid a renewed wave of counter-insurgency measures in Balochistan, where Pakistan’s army has been targeting separatist outfits and banned militant groups believed to be behind attacks on security convoys, oil installations, and Chinese-backed projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The insurgents, who Pakistan officially refers to as terrorists, claim to be fighting for greater political autonomy and a fair share of the province’s vast natural resources, including gas, copper, and gold. They accuse Islamabad of exploiting Balochistan’s mineral wealth while leaving the local population impoverished and underrepresented.

The operations took place in the rugged Chiltan mountain range, southwest of Quetta, and in Buleda, a remote area near the Iran border in Kech district, both long known as strongholds of armed Baloch groups.

International human rights organisations have, however, expressed concern over Pakistan’s counter-insurgency tactics, alleging incidents of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Islamabad has consistently denied such claims, stating that its actions are aimed solely at eliminating militant threats and ensuring peace in the region.

Thursday’s operations highlight both the scale of Pakistan’s continuing security campaign in Balochistan and the deep-rooted conflict between the state and separatist movements that refuse to lay down arms.