Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistani state media, citing security sources, reported on Sunday that security forces killed 16 militants, destroyed multiple hideouts, and recovered weapons and explosives as part of ongoing intelligence operations under “Operation Azm” in Balochistan province against militant groups that authorities refer to as “India’s sedition.” The government uses this term to describe groups based in Balochistan, highlighting India’s alleged role in destabilizing Pakistan. The operation was launched following a deadly attack on a passenger bus traveling from Quetta to Karachi on Wednesday, which killed three people and injured five others.
Security escalation and large-scale preemptive operations
This development on the ground comes amid escalating security challenges facing the region. On Wednesday, the army announced the killing of 10 militants and the arrest of two suicide bombers and their coordinator during operations in Mastung and Surab over a 48-hour period. Prior to this, security forces launched “Operation Shaaban” in response to an attack on a police station at the Manji Dam pumping station in Ziarat on July 6, which resulted in the deaths of 27 police officers. Meanwhile, a security assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) indicated a deterioration in the security situation in May, with Balochistan emerging as the most affected province, recording 71 terrorist attacks (a 109% increase) and 52 kidnappings out of a total of 54 nationwide.
A decisive stance from the political and military leadership
On the official level, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif affirmed on July 9 that the civilian and military leadership had made a “joint and unified decision” to end terrorism. This statement was made during a meeting of the Provincial High Committee in Quetta, attended by Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. Further reinforcing this approach, the federal and Balochistan governments, during a meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Saturday, emphasized their commitment to strengthening security coordination and accelerating the comprehensive peace strategy. They also approved measures to enhance the professional capabilities of the Counter Terrorism Force and the provincial police.
