• Four eliminated in Khuzdar
• Two terrorists killed in Bannu, five in South Waziristan
• Armed men attempt blockades in Kharan; six freight vehicles damaged in Chagai, Kalat
QUETTA / PESHAWAR: Security forces killed 11 terrorists during intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Thursday, citing security sources.
Four terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan were killed in the Sasool area of Khuzdar district, it said.
“Security forces effectively targeted Fitna al-Hindustan terrorists with the assistance of a quadcopter,” the report said.
In Bannu, security forces conducted an IBO against Fitna al-Khawarij, killing two terrorists and recovering weapons and ammunition, Radio Pakistan reported.
Five more terrorists were killed during an operation in the Ladha area of South Waziristan, it added.
The state uses the term Fitna al-Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups are referred to as Fitna al-Hindustan to highlight India’s role in terrorism and destabilisation in Pakistan.
Both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday paid tribute to the security forces over the successful anti-terror operations.
They reiterated their resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country and ensure lasting peace and stability.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said the entire nation stood firmly with the security forces in the fight against terrorism and acknowledged their sacrifices and continued efforts to protect the country.
Violence in Balochistan
Meanwhile, clashes broke out between unidentified armed men and security forces in Kharan district of Balochistan late on Wednesday night, while six freight vehicles were damaged in separate incidents in Chagai and Kalat districts and a bridge in Mastung was partially damaged in a blast.
Babar Yousafzai, media aide to the Balochistan Home Department, said militants affiliated with a banned organisation attempted to set up blockades at several points in Kharan city and set a police vehicle on fire.
He said police and security forces were already on high alert and responded immediately, preventing the attackers from causing further damage.
The assailants subsequently fled the area. Mr Yousafzai claimed the attackers also suffered losses during retaliatory action by security forces. A local journalist in Kharan said intense gunfire and explosions were heard in different parts of the city after 10pm.
A police official in Kharan, speaking on condition of anonymity, said armed men attempted to block several routes leading into and out of the city. Clashes between the attackers and police and other security personnel continued until late at night.
The official further claimed that the attackers blew up the Basima police post with explosives and abducted four police personnel. However, he said the policemen were later released unharmed.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Chagai district, unidentified armed men opened fire on four freight vehicles in the Chahtar area, damaging them as a result.
A police official in Chagai, also speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident.
In Kalat district, two more freight vehicles carrying cement were targeted by unidentified gunmen. Kalat police chief Zahid Shah said the attackers opened fire on the vehicles, damaging their tyres. He said police and other security personnel launched an operation following the incident, forcing the attackers to flee towards the mountains.
In Mastung district, which borders Quetta, unidentified armed men damaged a bridge with explosives at Chotu on the Quetta-Karachi highway. An official said the blast caused partial damage to the bridge, but traffic on the highway remained unaffected.
Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2026
