• 10 TTP men eliminated; two officers, one Customs official lay down their lives
• 11 terrorists killed after attempt to block N-40 highway
• President, PM praise martyrs’ sacrifice; CM Bugti vows to keep highways safe
QUETTA: Five security personnel, including two officers, and a Customs official were martyred during a “coordinated attack in an attempt to breach the Customs House” in Pishin, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.
At least 10 terrorists were killed in the operation, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, adding that another 11 miscreants who had blocked the N-40 Quetta-Taftan highway were eliminated following an intense exchange of fire.
Giving a cumulative account of operations conducted in the past 24 hours, ISPR said that on the night of Aug 31-Sept 1, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the Customs House, located at Ziarat Cross on the N-50 National Highway, in Pishin district.
“Security forces responded effectively and, after an intense fire exchange, killed 10 terrorists,” ISPR added.
Moreover, fleeing terrorists were also engaged by the security forces, inflicting further casualties, the ISPR said.
“During the exchange of fire, six brave sons of the soil, including two officers and a government official from the Customs Department, made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and embraced shahadat,” it said.
The attack on the Customs House was a “manifestation of the terror-crime nexus, orchestrated to prevent Customs officials from performing their lawful duties and thereby facilitate the continuation of criminal activities in the area”, the ISPR stated.
It added that the sanitisation operations were continuing in the surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining terrorists and ensure the safety and security of the local population as well as the vital national highways.
Separately, terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan — a term the state uses to highlight Indian backing for Balochistan-based separatist outfits — attempted to disrupt the peaceful movement of commuters along the N-40 Highway by establishing an illegal checkpoint for extortion, ISPR said.
“Security forces responded immediately and, after an intense fire exchange, 11 terrorists were killed on the spot.
“A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from the terrorists,” it added.
“The relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-i-Istehkam,’ as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on
the National Action Plan, will continue with full resolve. Security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating the menace of foreign-sponsored and foreign-supported terrorism from the country,” ISPR concluded.
The country’s top leadership hailed the success of anti-terror operations.
In a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari lauded security forces for foiling the terrorist attack on the Customs House and thwarting attempts to disrupt passenger movement on the Quetta-Taftan Highway through the establishment of an illegal checkpoint.
He also praised the martyrs, who he said had set a great example by laying down their lives in the line of duty.
PM Shehbaz Sharif also expressed grief over the martyrdom of six personnel during the operations against the terrorists, paying tribute to the martyrs for their sacrifice.
Meanwhile, Balochistan CM Sarfraz Bugti expressed satisfaction over the successful operations conducted by the security forces. He further said there was no place in Balochistan for those seeking to disrupt peace. “There will be no compromise on the protection of national highways and the public.”
Separately, CM Bugti’s aide Shahid Rind said the elimination of 21 terrorists was proof of the state’s strong resolve against terrorism.
“Operations against terrorist elements sponsored and supported by foreign forces will continue,” Rind said.
Under the Azm-i-Istehkam initiative, the government would continue to play its role in eliminating terrorism, he added.
Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2026
