• Centre, Balochistan vow closer coordination, say ‘no space for terrorists’ in province
• FIR registered over killing of Mastung judge, guard
MASTUNG/QUETTA: Security forces have killed three more terrorists in an ongoing intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Khad Kocha area of Balochistan’s Mastung district, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday, citing security sources.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a statement commending the security forces, also confirmed the development.
The security operation, conducted under an indefinite curfew, was laun-ched after a shooting on a Karachi-bound coach coming from Quetta claimed three lives and injured five others on Wednesday.
On Saturday, Radio Pakistan quoted security sources as saying that “Fitna al Hindustan has suffered further losses” in the IBO, which has been dubbed Operation Al-Azm.
The state uses the term “Fitna al Hindustan” for Balochistan-based groups to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.
Security sources said that several hideouts “belonging to Fitna al Hindustan” were destroyed. They added that weapons, ammunition and materials used for making improvised explosive devices were also recovered.
“There are also confirmed reports that several terrorists belonging to Fitna ul Hindustan were injured during the operation,” Radio Pakistan stated.
Naqvi-Bugti meeting
Meanwhile, the federal and Balochistan governments on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening security coordination, accelerating the implementation of a comprehensive peace strategy, and ensuring the writ of the state across the province, declaring there would be “no space for terrorists” in the province.
The commitment was made during a high-level law and order meeting co-chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti in Quetta.
CM Bugti briefed participants on the prevailing security situation, progress in ongoing operations, and the strategy for addressing security challenges. The meeting decided to further enhance the professional capacity of the Balochistan Counter-Terrorism Force and the provincial police, while expediting previously approved reforms to strengthen the force.
Mr Naqvi said the federal government would continue extending every possible assistance to ensure sustainable peace in the province. He stressed that the immediate and effective implementation of the province’s peace restoration master plan was the need of the hour.
FIR registered
Separately, the Counter-Terrorism Department has registered an FIR in connection with the killing of Mastung District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his security guard Aman on Thursday while he was travelling from Quetta to Mastung.
The FIR was registered against unidentified armed men under Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempted murder) of PPC and provisions of Anti-Terrorism Act.
Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2026
