Pakistan military says 92 militants killed as attacks across Balochistan 'foiled'

Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies have foiled a series of coordinated militant attacks across Balochistan, killing 92 militants, including three suicide bombers, the military said on Saturday.

Fifteen soldiers and 18 civilians were also killed during the attacks and subsequent counterterrorism operations, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations, or ISPR.

The military said the militants belonged to Fitna al Hindustan, a term it uses for the Balochistan Liberation Army or the Balochistan Liberation Front. ISPR said the group is sponsored by India.

According to ISPR, the militants attempted to disrupt peace in several districts, including Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.

The attacks were aimed at destabilizing the province and undermining development projects, the military said.

ISPR said militants deliberately targeted civilians in Gwadar and Kharan districts. Eighteen civilians, including women, children, elderly people and laborers, were killed in those attacks.

Security forces remained on high alert and launched what ISPR described as prolonged, intense and daring clearance operations across the province.

As a result of the operations, 92 militants were killed and the attacks were foiled, the military said.

The operations came at a heavy cost, with 15 soldiers killed during intense engagements and clearance missions, ISPR added.

Sanitization operations are ongoing in the affected areas to ensure no militants remain, the military said.

ISPR said all instigators, facilitators and perpetrators of what it described as “heinous and cowardly” acts would be brought to justice.

The military also said intelligence reports conclusively confirmed the attacks were orchestrated and directed by militant leaders operating from outside Pakistan.

According to ISPR, the handlers were in direct communication with the attackers throughout the incidents.

The latest operations followed separate actions on Jan. 30, when security forces killed 41 militants belonging to Fitna al Hindustan and Fitna al Khwarij, a term the military uses for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Those operations took place in Panjgur and Harnai districts, ISPR said.

With the latest actions, the total number of militants killed in Balochistan over the past two days has risen to 133.

The military said counterterrorism operations under the national vision “Azm-e-Istehkam,” approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace.

In a particularly deadly incident in Gwadar, 11 civilians from poor laborer families were killed when militants targeted unarmed workers seeking employment, ISPR said.

The victims included five men, three women and three children, according to the military.

The death toll in the Gwadar attack was initially reported as five but was later verified as 11 after a detailed investigation, ISPR added.

Security forces have neutralized all militants involved in that attack, the military said.

The assault triggered grief and anger among residents in Gwadar, with locals condemning the killing of women and children and highlighting the group’s brutality.

Security forces have intensified ground operations and aerial surveillance to track fleeing militants and dismantle remaining cells, authorities said.

Officials also alleged Indian media outlets and social media platforms amplified narratives supporting Fitna al Hindustan, which they said indicated coordination and backing for the attacks.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised security forces for foiling what he described as organized attempts to destabilize Balochistan and paid tribute to the soldiers killed.

President Asif Ali Zardari also paid tribute to the armed forces and law enforcement agencies and expressed solidarity with the families of those killed.

Balochistan has seen a surge in militant violence in recent months, targeting security forces, development projects and civilian workers.

Gwadar, a strategic port city linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, has remained a focal point of both economic activity and security challenges.

Authorities said operations would continue until all affected areas are fully secured.