Security forces killed three more militants during Operation Shaban in Balochistan on Wednesday, bringing the total number of militants killed in the ongoing operation to 88, according to security sources.
The joint operation, involving the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police, was launched after the deadly attack on the Mangi Dam police station in Ziarat earlier this month.
According to security sources, both ground and aerial operations are continuing against militant hideouts across the province. They said security forces have successfully targeted several militant positions during the ongoing offensive.
Officials added that a total of 126 militants have been killed in Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations conducted across Balochistan since July 5.
Security sources said the operation will continue until all militants involved in terrorist activities are eliminated.
A day earlier, security forces had killed six militants during separate operations in the province. Authorities also recovered a significant cache of weapons and ammunition, including submachine guns, rocket launchers, mobile phones and other equipment from the militants.
Earlier this month, 42 people, including security personnel and civilians, lost their lives in three separate terrorist attacks across Balochistan.
Last week, ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said militants attacked the Mangi checkpoint, where police personnel resisted the assault and killed 15 militants during the initial exchange of fire.
He said nine police personnel were martyred while defending the checkpoint, and several officers were taken hostage before security forces arrived and secured the area.
Pakistan has witnessed an increase in militant attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
In response, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, targeting militant hideouts across the border. Officials said the operation resulted in the killing of numerous Afghan Taliban operatives and injuries to several others.
