Operation Shaban: 88 militants killed in Balochistan since July 5 as operation continues

Nine more militants were killed in Balochistan on Saturday under Operation Shaban, raising the overall tally since July 5 to 88, state-run Pakistan TV reported, citing security sources. The Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police are conducting coordinated air and ground operations across the province's mountainous terrain.

What is Operation Shaban and what triggered it?

Operation Shaban is a joint counterterrorism operation in Balochistan involving the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, and Balochistan Police, launched after militants attacked the Mangi Dam Police Station. The operation targets militant hideouts across rugged, mountainous areas of the province through combined ground and aerial missions. Security sources say operations will continue until all militants in the targeted areas are eliminated.

Of the 88 militants killed since July 5, 52 were eliminated directly under Operation Shaban, while the remaining 36 were killed in parallel intelligence-based operations across the province. The operation intensified in its early days, with 26 militants killed on Monday and Tuesday alone, followed by 13 more in the 24 hours that followed. Security forces have maintained a tight cordon around the areas where militants are believed to be sheltering.

How is Operation Shaban being conducted in Balochistan?

The Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps Balochistan, and police are jointly targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants, also referred to as Khwarij, in rugged terrain and mountainous areas, according to Business Recorder. Multiple ground and aerial missions remain underway across the province. Security forces have tightened their cordon around key areas as the operation expands.

A day before Saturday's update, security forces reported that 75 militants had been killed since July 5, meaning nine more were added to the tally within 24 hours. The operation began following the attack on the Mangi Dam Police Station, which triggered a rapid joint response from Pakistan's military and law enforcement. Security sources have given no timeline for when the operation is expected to conclude.