CTD kills 10 militants in Balochistan operation

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) killed 10 suspected militants during an intelligence-based operation in Barkhan district of Balochistan on Saturday, provincial officials said. Two CTD personnel were injured in the exchange of fire.

Balochistan Chief Minister’s Adviser on Information and Political Affairs Shahid Rind said the operation was launched in the Rara Sham area after security officials received actionable intelligence about the presence and movement of militants.

According to Rind, an intense gun battle erupted when CTD teams approached the suspected hideout. The encounter ended with the deaths of all 10 militants, he said.

Security personnel also recovered a significant quantity of heavy weapons, military-grade firearms and live ammunition from the site. The two injured CTD personnel were shifted for medical treatment.

Rind reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to combating terrorism, saying police, security forces and the CTD would continue targeted operations to eliminate militant threats across Balochistan.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the provincial CTD for the operation. He said the timely action had disrupted the militants’ plans and commended the personnel involved.

Naqvi also expressed solidarity with the injured officers and prayed for their speedy recovery. He said all relevant institutions remained committed to restoring and maintaining peace in Balochistan.

The operation comes amid a series of militant attacks and security operations across Pakistan in recent months. Security forces have faced repeated assaults targeting police, military personnel and civilians in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Last week, a blast at a joint checkpoint near Aman Mela in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan killed 12 people and injured 35 others. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.

On September 19, a deadly attack at a mosque inside Kohat’s Police Lines killed 23 people, including 15 police personnel. Eight militants were also killed during a subsequent search and clearance operation. The Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan later claimed responsibility.

In another incident in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district, six security personnel, including a captain and a lieutenant, were killed in an exchange of fire. Security forces killed eight militants during the encounter.

Balochistan has also witnessed repeated attacks on security personnel and government installations. On September 1, six security personnel, including two officers, and a customs official were killed while security forces repelled an attempt to breach the Customs House.

In July, an attack in the Kach Mangi Phase III area of Ziarat killed at least 30 people, including 27 police personnel. Authorities attributed the assault to militants they identify as part of Fitna al-Hindustan.