QUETTA: Pakistani security forces killed nine more militants belonged to Fitna al Khawarij in Balochistan on Saturday, taking the overall militant death toll since July 5 to 88, state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) and security officials said.
The latest operation took place in the Shaban area on the outskirts of Quetta as the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan and police continued Operation Shaban, a coordinated campaign against india-backed Fitna al Khawarij militant hideouts.
“Operation Shaban continues across Balochistan as the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and police intensify coordinated air and ground operations against terrorist hideouts,” PTV said on X.
Security officials said the latest operation killed nine suspected militants. Officials added that 88 Khawarij militants have been killed in Operation Shaban since its launch on July 5.
Authorities launched Operation Shaban after Khawarij militants (TTP) attacked the Mangi Dam pumping station police post on July 5, in which 27 police personnel were martyred.
Security officials said forces used intelligence-based planning, aerial surveillance and coordinated air and ground assaults to target suspected militant hideouts in remote mountainous areas.
They said the campaign would continue until security forces dismantle militant networks operating in the province.
On Friday, security officials said forces killed 17 suspected militants during operations over the previous 24 hours. They also reported killing 26 militants in separate operations on July 6 and 7.
Officials said security forces also repelled an attack on a police station in the Zehri area of Khuzdar district on Friday, preventing militants from overrunning the facility.
Pakistan has intensified intelligence-based operations in Balochistan and other parts of the country as authorities seek to contain a recent rise in militant violence.
