17 militants killed, soldier martyred in Balochistan

Security forces have killed 17 militants in two intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Kachhi and Kharan districts, while a soldier embraced martyrdom during an exchange of fire, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were carried out on November 1 following intelligence reports about the presence of militants allegedly backed by India.

In the first operation, security forces targeted militants in the Sanni area of Kachhi district after receiving reports that they were planning to establish a roadblock. Troops successfully foiled the attempt and killed 10 militants. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the site.

The second operation was conducted in Kharan district, where security forces raided a suspected militant hideout. An intense exchange of fire followed, resulting in the deaths of seven militants affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), according to the ISPR.

During the Kharan operation, Sepoy Hikmatullah fought bravely and sacrificed his life while confronting the militants.

The military’s media wing said sanitisation operations were continuing in both areas to locate and eliminate any remaining militants. It reiterated that counterterrorism efforts under the national security initiative Azm-e-Istehkam would continue until foreign-sponsored terrorism was eliminated from the country.

President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for their successful operations and commended their timely response to the militants’ attempt to block a road in Kachhi.

He also appreciated the operation in Kharan and expressed condolences over the martyrdom of Sepoy Hikmatullah. The president said the soldier’s sacrifice for the country’s defence and security would always be remembered.

Zardari reaffirmed that operations under Azm-e-Istehkam would continue and stressed that the government remained committed to eliminating terrorism and restoring lasting peace.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also lauded the security forces for killing the 17 militants. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, he praised their professionalism and paid tribute to Sepoy Hikmatullah for laying down his life in the line of duty.

The prime minister said security forces were achieving significant progress against terrorism under Azm-e-Istehkam. He reiterated the government’s determination to eliminate terrorism in all its forms.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also commended the security forces for their operations in Kachhi and Kharan. He praised their efforts in preventing militant activities and paid tribute to the martyred soldier, describing his sacrifice as an example of devotion to the country.

Pakistan has faced a persistent rise in militant violence since 2022. Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) project shows that terrorist attacks increased from 658 in 2022 to 2,425 in 2025, representing an almost fourfold rise.

Attacks attributed to the TTP also increased significantly during the same period, rising from 118 to 838.

Although Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has experienced the largest share of militant violence, Balochistan has also remained a major hotspot. Militants have repeatedly targeted security personnel, military installations, civilian infrastructure and transport convoys. Kidnappings of civilians and security personnel have also added to the province’s security challenges.

However, the overall security situation showed some improvement in October. According to figures released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), terrorist attacks in Balochistan declined by 46 per cent, falling from 132 in September to 71 in October.

Across the country, 143 attacks were recorded in October, compared with 226 in the previous month. The decline was accompanied by a 57 per cent reduction in fatalities and a 71 per cent decrease in injuries. Suicide attacks also recorded a considerable drop.