Eight more terrorists were killed during the latest phase of Operation Shaban, taking the total number of terrorists killed in the operation and other intelligence-based operations across Balochistan since July 5 to 117, security sources said on Monday.
The joint operation by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC), and Balochistan Police was launched in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the Mangi Dam Police Station and remains underway, with forces intensifying action against terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij across the province.
Terrorists ambushed police personnel deployed in the Kach Mangi Phase III area of Ziarat on Tuesday, triggering hours-long gun battles that left nine police officers, including two station house officers, dead. Terrorists also abducted several civilians and police personnel after the attack. The military subsequently launched a series of counterterrorism operations across Balochistan.
The Joint Operation Shaban of #PakistanArmy, #FC #Balochistan and Police is continuing in #Balochistan@OfficialDGISPR @DGPR_PAF #RadioPakistan #News https://t.co/LRGXmt5PCu pic.twitter.com/kfGCi0yLXp
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) July 13, 2026
According to the source, the joint operation continues with air and ground operations against the banned outfit. Fitna al Khawarij is the term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). A large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and other equipment has been recovered from the militants’ hideouts during the operation, the sources added.
The total number of terrorists killed in the ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan has reached 79. The sources said Operation Shaban would continue until “the last terrorist is eliminated.”
Federal Interior Minister lauds joint action against terrorists
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the security forces for carrying out effective operations against the terrorists.
In a post on X, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi commended the professionalism of the security forces in conducting effective ground and aerial operations.
وزیرداخلہ محسن نقوی نے
دہشت گردوں کے خلاف مؤثر زمینی اور فضائی کارروائیوں پر سیکیورٹی فورسز کی پیشہ ورانہ صلاحیتوں کو سراہا
وطنِ عزیز سے فتنہ الہندوستان کے دہشتگردوں کے مکمل خاتمے تک جنگ جاری رہے گی۔
بلوچستان کا امن تباہ کرنے والے عبرت کا نشان بن رہے ہیں۔
— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) July 13, 2026
“The war will continue until the complete elimination of the terrorists of Fitna Al-Hindustan from our beloved homeland,” he said, adding, “Those seeking to undermine peace in Balochistan are being made an example of.”
In another statement issued by the interior ministry on X, the federal minister praised the security forces for the successful execution of Operation Shaban by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps Balochistan and police, which resulted in the elimination of terrorists.
وفاقی وزیر داخلہ محسن نقوی کا بلوچستان میں فتنہ الہندوستان کے دہشتگردوں کے خلاف کامیاب آپریشن شعبان پر سکیورٹی فورسز کو خراج تحسین
پاک فوج، ایف سی بلوچستان اور پولیس کے مشترکہ آپریشن میں 5 مزید خوارجیوں کی ہلاکت پر فورسز کو سلام۔
— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) July 13, 2026
In the concluding post, Naqvi said the entire nation stood in solidarity with the security forces.
He cited the elimination of 114 foreign terrorists as proof that the forces were highly active, professional and vigilant.
Likening the terrorists to beasts, the interior minister said those who shed blood on the soil of Balochistan “deserve no leniency”.
پوری قوم سیکیورٹی فورسز کے شانہ بشانہ کھڑی ہے۔
آپریشن شعبان اور دیگر انٹیلی جنس بیسڈ آپریشنز میں اب تک 114 خوارجی دہشت گردوں کی ہلاکت اس بات کا ثبوت ہے کہ ہماری فورسز انتہائی متحرک، پروفیشنل اور الرٹ ہیں۔
بلوچستان کی دھرتی پر خون بہانے والے درندے کسی رعایت کے مستحق نہیں۔
— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) July 13, 2026
UNSC confirms rise in TTP attacks from Afghanistan
Terrorism has significantly increased in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan, in recent days. The rise in terrorist activity has led to growing concerns over the security situation in these regions. In response, security forces have been conducting intensive operations to counter the threat, targeting terrorist groups.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in a report released in February also drew attention to a series of attacks by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) against Pakistani security forces and projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
“On September 16, 2025, the BLA ambushed a Pakistani military convoy patrolling the corridor, killing 32 troops. While counter-terrorism operations by Pakistan restricted the BLA’s operational space, it remained active.”
The report added that some member states reported that the BLA collaborated with the TTP and ISIL-K through shared training camps and resources, coordinating attacks and meetings between commanders. Some member states assessed that there was neither an association nor growing ties between the BLA and Al Qaeda or ISIL.
Read: Four more terrorists killed in operation Shabaan: security sources
It further highlighted that various groups in Afghanistan had acquired modern weapons and equipment through cross-border smuggling and black-market trade. “TTP used advanced assault rifles, night-vision devices, thermal-imaging devices, sniper systems and drone attack systems. Most of these were provided by the de facto authorities in conjunction with weapons permits and travel documents,” it said.
In August 2025, the UN’s 1988 Taliban sanctions committee monitoring team’s annual report said outlawed terrorist groups – BLA, including its Majeed Brigade, and TTP had “close coordination”.
The UNSC report said “some BLA attacks showed a high degree of complexity and brutality”, citing the hijacking of the Jaffar Express in Balochistan on March 11, 2025, which killed 31 people, including 21 hostages.Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express TribuneWeb DeskRead More