Pakistan says eight militants killed in security operations in Balochistan

Pakistan's military said on Saturday that security forces had killed eight suspected militants in two intelligence-based operations in the southwestern province of Balochistan over the past two days, as the country presses ahead with its counterinsurgency campaign.

How many militants did Pakistan's security forces kill in Balochistan?

Pakistan's security forces killed eight suspected militants in two separate intelligence-based operations carried out in Balochistan on June 25 and 26.

The operations took place in the districts of Kharan and Mastung after intelligence reports indicated militant activity in the areas, the military's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.

Where did the Balochistan security operations take place?

In the first operation in Kharan, security forces engaged a group of suspected militants, killing three and wounding several others, the statement said. A day later, in Mastung, troops launched a separate raid targeting what the military said was the presence of a suspected suicide bomber.

Five militants, including the alleged bomber, were killed in an exchange of fire, according to the statement. Weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices and motorcycles allegedly used by the militants were recovered during the operations, the military said.

Who does Pakistan blame for the Balochistan attacks?

The ISPR described the militants as Indian-sponsored proxies. Security forces are continuing clearance operations in the area to search for any remaining suspects, the military said.

The military added that the raids form part of Pakistan's broader nationwide counterterrorism campaign under the "Azm-e-Istehkam" strategy. The latest operations come amid heightened security efforts in Balochistan, where militant attacks on security forces and infrastructure have risen in recent years.