Ten militants killed, two female suicide bombers arrested in Balochistan security operations

Pakistan's security forces killed ten militants and arrested two female suicide bombers along with a facilitator during intelligence-based operations across Balochistan over 48 hours, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Wednesday.

The operations targeted what ISPR described as the Indian-sponsored Fitna al Hindustan and Fitna al Khwarij networks in the districts of Surab and Mastung.

What happened in the Balochistan security operations?

Seven militants were killed in an operation targeting hideouts in Surab, while a separate operation in Mastung killed three more and led to the arrest of two female suicide bombers and a facilitator. ISPR identified those arrested as belonging to Fitna al Hindustan. Security forces also recovered weapons, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices during the operations.

The military said the operations were part of an ongoing counterterrorism campaign and that sanitization operations are continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining militants. The ISPR reaffirmed that Pakistan's security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue operations under the Azm-e-Istehkam campaign, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. The campaign is directed at eliminating what the military describes as foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

Why are female suicide bombers being deployed in Balochistan?

The arrest of female suicide bombers reflects a documented shift in militant tactics in Balochistan, particularly by the banned Baloch Liberation Army and its Majeed Brigade. Reuters reported earlier this year that women suicide bombers and new weapons have given a boost to insurgents in Pakistan. The Conversation noted that in a ten-day period in late April 2026 alone, insurgents carried out 27 attacks in the province, with female fidayeen increasingly used to target security outposts and public installations.

Security forces have been on heightened alert across Balochistan following a period of intense militant activity that left dozens of security personnel and civilians dead. Authorities said the operations in Surab and Mastung were part of broader efforts to dismantle sleeper cells before they could carry out coordinated strikes. ISPR said the recovered weapons and IEDs confirmed active planning for imminent attacks.