QUETTA: Security forces have so far killed 16 terrorists during the recently launched Operation Al-Azm in Balochistan, state media reported on Sunday.
“Continuing intelligence-based operations under Operation Al-Azm against Fitna-al-Hindustan in Balochistan, security forces [have] killed 16 terrorists, destroyed multiple terrorist hideouts and recovered weapons and explosive materials,” state-run Pakistan TV reported, citing security sources.
The government uses the term “Fitna al-Hindustan” for Balochistan-based groups to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.
Just a day ago, the federal and Balochistan governments 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.
On July 22, a shooting on a Karachi-bound coach coming from Quetta claimed three lives and injured five others. The gun attack was carried out after the security forces killed 10 terrorists and arrested two ‘suicide bombers and their facilitator’ during operations in Balochistan’s Mastung and Surab.
Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2026
