Islamabad, Pakistan – As part of its ongoing military campaign against militant groups, Pakistani security authorities announced on Saturday the killing of nine more militants in Balochistan province. This brings the total number of terrorists killed since the start of operations on July 5 to 88.
Details of the military “Shaaban Operation”.
Pakistani state television confirmed that “Operation Sha’ban” is witnessing an unprecedented intensification of coordinated air and ground operations. The Pakistani army is conducting these operations in conjunction with border forces and police. The campaign aims to clear mountainous and rugged terrain and targets fortified militant hideouts.
According to security data, nine militants were killed in the latest operation, bringing the total number eliminated in “Operation Shaaban” alone to 52. The overall death toll since July 5th has risen to 88 when including targeted intelligence operations. Security officials emphasized that the operations will continue at a high pace until their ultimate goal of eliminating the last terrorist in the region is achieved.
Background to the escalation: The Manji Dam crime
This fierce confrontation comes in response to the recent bloody attack by militants on a police station at the Manji Dam pumping station in Quetta district. That attack resulted in the deaths of nine police officers, including the station’s two officers. The militants also abducted 18 other police officers at gunpoint.
In a tragic turn of events, security forces later discovered the bodies of the kidnapped policemen in the mountainous Zarghun Ghar region. The militants had executed them there. This heinous act prompted Pakistani authorities to launch a large-scale security operation aimed at restoring security and avenging the victims.
Foiling terrorist plots
In a related development, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti announced on Friday that security forces had thwarted a new terrorist attack targeting a police station in the Zaidi area of Khuzdar district. These security successes underscore the high level of coordination between various military and police units. This strengthens the state’s ability to counter attempts to destabilize the province. Field operations continue under a state of full security alert. The objective is to ensure the security of vital sites and prevent militants from regrouping.
