Four soldiers martyred, 24 terrorists killed in KP, Balochistan

RAWALPINDI: Four Pakistan Army personnel, including a major, embraced martyrdom while security forces killed 24 terrorists in separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were conducted against members of the India-sponsored groups identified as Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij.

In Balochistan, security forces have been carrying out multiple intelligence-based operations around Kolpur, Kardagap and Nushki since November 13. The activities also included area surveillance and patrolling along the Quetta-Taftan National Highway (N-40) to ensure the safety of local commuters.

During an operation in Kolpur on the night of November 13 and 14, security forces killed eight terrorists, including a suspected suicide bomber. A substantial quantity of weapons and ammunition was also recovered from their possession.

However, terrorists targeted military vehicles during a patrol on November 14 using armed quadcopters, resulting in the martyrdom of Major Omer Minhas Nasir, a resident of Chakwal, and Havildar Muhammad Adnan Khan, who belonged to Kotli Sattian.

The ISPR said the soldiers fought gallantly during the attack and sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. It added that the incident would not weaken the determination of security forces to eliminate terrorism.

The military said the terrorists were using drones, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other technological equipment to target security personnel and civilians. It alleged that India continued to provide financial assistance and advanced equipment to the Fitna al-Hindustan network.

The ISPR maintained that security forces were prepared to counter the evolving threats and would not allow terrorist groups to operate freely. Clearance operations in the affected areas will continue until all remaining threats are eliminated.

In a separate series of intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security forces killed 16 terrorists while two army personnel embraced martyrdom.

According to the ISPR, multiple suspected hideouts of Fitna al-Khawarij were targeted in Mir Ali, Datta Khel and surrounding areas of North Waziristan.

During intense exchanges of fire, 12 terrorists, including two Afghan nationals allegedly linked to the India-sponsored network, were killed in Ali Khel over the preceding 12 hours.

Security forces also eliminated two militants each in Mir Ali and Datta Khel, dealing a significant blow to the terrorist network operating in the region.

However, two soldiers, Havildar Asmat Ali, 43, from Swabi, and Naik Aftab Ali, 32, from Mardan, lost their lives while confronting the militants.

The military said both personnel displayed exceptional courage and fought bravely during the engagements. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists, who were allegedly involved in several terrorist activities, including attacks on civilians.

Sanitisation operations are continuing in the affected areas to eliminate any remaining militants.

The ISPR reiterated that the counterterrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam would continue with full intensity. The initiative was approved by the federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan to strengthen the country’s efforts against terrorism.

It said security forces and law enforcement agencies remained committed to eliminating foreign-sponsored militancy, adding that the sacrifices of military personnel would further strengthen the national resolve.

Pakistan has experienced an increase in terrorist activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since 2021, when the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan.

A report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) identified the two provinces as the country’s most affected regions during the second quarter of 2026.

According to the report, KP and Balochistan accounted for nearly 96 per cent of all violence-related fatalities recorded nationwide during the period.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 475 deaths, representing more than 61 per cent of the total, while Balochistan recorded 265 fatalities, accounting for 34 per cent.

The report also documented 151 violent incidents in KP, making up 57 per cent of the nationwide total. Balochistan recorded 94 incidents, or 35 per cent, highlighting the concentration of militant violence in the two provinces.