ISPR says 12 militants killed in Balochistan raids

Security forces killed 12 suspected terrorists in two intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Washuk and Mastung districts, according to the military’s media wing, ISPR, on Thursday. Dawn reported that the raids were part of the ongoing counterterrorism drive described by the army as Radul Fitna and linked to action against groups it calls Fitna-al-Hindustan.

The latest operations come amid continued security activity in Balochistan, where the military says it is targeting armed groups through intelligence-led action. ISPR said six suspected militants were detected in Washuk on August 5, and troops engaged them after picking up their movement. All six were killed, the statement said.

In a separate operation in Mastung earlier in the day, another six suspected militants were killed after what ISPR described as an intense exchange of fire. The military also said a hideout used by the suspects was destroyed.

The statement said the forces would continue operations under the broader vision of Azm-i-Istehkam, which it linked to the National Action Plan framework approved by the Federal Apex Committee. The message was that security forces and law enforcement agencies would keep working to eliminate foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

Dawn noted that this was not the first such operation in the province. Last Wednesday, ISPR said eight suspected militants were killed in Nushki during multiple intelligence-based operations, and weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices were recovered and destroyed.

The military did not provide further details about the identities of those killed, and the feed summary does not mention any civilian casualties or troop losses. Based on the available information, the key verified point is that the army says 12 suspected terrorists were killed in separate operations in Washuk and Mastung.

Balochistan has remained a focus of Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts because of repeated attacks and military operations in the province. ISPR’s statement framed the latest action as part of a wider campaign to clear militant networks and dismantle their infrastructure.

FAQ

What did ISPR say happened in Balochistan?

ISPR said security forces killed 12 suspected militants in separate intelligence-based operations in Washuk and Mastung districts.

Did the military mention any losses on its side?

No such losses were mentioned in the feed summary provided.

Were any weapons or explosives recovered in these operations?

The provided summary does not say weapons or explosives were recovered in the Washuk and Mastung raids. It does note that such material was recovered and destroyed in an earlier operation in Nushki.