• Overnight curfew imposed in Surab, until 15th
• Track blown up in Spezand; Jaffar Express departs late due to repair works
• Mobile data services disrupted
• Two abducted men recovered safely in Mastung
QUETTA: Security forces, in multiple intelligence-based operations (IBOs), killed 15 terrorists in different districts of Balochistan, officials said on Sunday amid heightened security measures that included the suspension of data network of cellphone services.
Security was placed on high alert in Quetta, with police and FC personnel establishing checkpoints at various locations, while the Surab district administration imposed a weeklong nighttime curfew.
Officials said IBOs were carried out in Mastung, Bolan, Washuk, Awaran, Sibi, Khuzdar, Harnai and Nushki under Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad-3. State-run PTV also reported the killing of 15 terrorists in multiple operations.
The officials said, “The operations severely damaged the Khawarij network and restricted their movement.” They added that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain terrorists.
The operations intensified after the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies’ monthly security assessment, indicated the security situation deteriorated most significantly in July, as the overall death toll in Balochistan increased by 241 per cent, from 109 in June to 372 in July.
As part of enhanced security measures, mobile phone signals and mobile data services were suspended across several other districts after 2pm, authorities said.
On the other hand, train services were disrupted for some time after a section of the railway track linking Balochistan with other parts of the country was blown up on late Saturday evening in the Spezand area, some 30km from Quetta.
Railway officials said unidentified men had planted explosives on the track in Spezand. The device exploded with a powerful blast, damaging a section of the track. Police, FC personnel and the Bomb Disposal Squad rushed to the site after the explosion.
Following a security clearance, railway authorities repaired the damaged section of the track and restored rail traffic. The Jaffar Express, scheduled to depart from Quetta for Peshawar on Sunday morning, left for its destination after the damaged section of the railway track was repaired.
Curfew imposed
In the meantime, the Surab administration issued a notification imposing a curfew across the district between 8pm and 9am from Aug 9 to 15.
It directed citizens to avoid leaving their homes unnecessarily during curfew hours, fully cooperate with law-enforcement agencies and strictly follow the security SOPs issued for the protection of their families. The notification warned that individuals violating the curfew would be responsible for any harm or loss resulting from their actions.
Also, Khuzdar administration announced revised operating hours for commercial centres across the district.
According to a notification issued by the office of Khuzdar DC, the measure has been taken temporarily as a precautionary step to protect the lives and property of citizens and the business community.
All markets, shops, hotels and other commercial establishments, except pharmacies, medical stores and other healthcare facilities, will remain closed from 8pm to 10am daily.
Separately, two men who were abducted for ransom on July 24 from the Khad Kocha area of Mastung district, safely returned home on Sunday.
Sources said armed men had kidnapped Jan Muhammad and Sajjad Ali from Khad Kocha and later demanded a ransom of Rs25m from their families for their release. Both men were safely recovered.
Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2026