QUETTA: Security forces killed four more terrorists belonging to a banned organisation in an intelligence-based operation carried out in two areas of Panjgur district, officials said on Monday.

According to officials, security forces launched an IBO on the information about the presence of armed militants in Koh-Prom and the Aphan area of Panjgur district.

“Four armed terrorists of Fitna al Hindustan were killed in the heavy gunbattle during the operation,” they said, adding that a large quantity of arms and ammunition was seized from the hideouts of the terrorists.

During the last one week, security forces have killed more than 35 terrorists in multiple actions conducted in several parts of Balochistan under the Radd-ul-Fitna operation.

Search for kidnapped Kharan DC continues; two cricketers abducted from Dera Bugti

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti praised the security personnel for the successful operation against militants in Panjgur.

He said that these operations would continue until the complete elimination of terrorism and that the government was pursuing a policy of zero tolerance against elements hostile to the country.

Search operation underway

Meanwhile, investigators have found no clue to the whereabouts of the Kharan deputy commissioner, who was kidnapped alongside three others two days ago.

DC Munir Soomro and three other people were kidnapped as they were travelling in a car the other day.

Officials said that police and other security personnel were searching different areas to recover Mr Soomro, but had made no headway so far.

They said that Mr Soomro was heading to Kharan from Quetta along with his driver, a guard and another person in a private car.

The armed men intercepted his car in Lajah area of Kharan district and took it along with their car. Police said that after receiving information about the missing deputy commissioner, several attempts were made to establish a contact with him through his cellphone, but his phone was found silent.

The provincial administration has involved tribal elders of the area to contact the kidnappers for their safe release, but no progress has been made.

Meanwhile, two local cricketers were kidnapped near the Kachhi Canal area in Dera Bugti.

According to police, Zakir and Wadan Bugti, residents of Sui, were returning home after playing a match in Kandhkot when they were stopped by armed men near the Kachhi Canal area.

After their abduction, security personnel cordoned off the area and launched a search operation.

No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of the two cricketers so far.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2026