Balochistan Operations 17 Militants Killed, Soldier Martyred in Kachhi and Kharan

Security forces killed 17 militants in two intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Kachhi and Kharan districts, while a soldier was martyred during an exchange of fire, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operations took place on November 1, 2026, following reports about the presence of militants belonging to groups it described as Indian-sponsored.

The first operation took place in the Sanni area of Kachhi district. Security forces foiled an attempt to establish a roadblock and killed 10 militants. They also recovered weapons and ammunition from the site.

In the second operation in Kharan district, troops raided a militant hideout. An intense exchange of fire followed, leaving seven militants dead, the ISPR said. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered.

The military’s media wing said Sepoy Hikmatullah was martyred during the operation in Kharan. It paid tribute to the soldier, saying he fought bravely before sacrificing his life.

Security forces launched sanitisation operations to search for any remaining militants in the areas, the statement added.

The ISPR said counterterrorism operations under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam would continue. The initiative was approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.

The federal government last year designated militant groups operating in Balochistan as Fitna al-Hindustan, alleging Indian sponsorship. The state uses the term Fitna al-Khawarij for militants affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

President Asif Ali Zardari praised security forces for killing the 17 militants. He said their timely response had foiled the attempt to block a road in Kachhi district.

The president also commended the operation in Kharan and expressed grief over Sepoy Hikmatullah’s martyrdom. He said the soldier’s sacrifice for the country’s defence, peace and security would always be remembered.

Zardari reiterated that operations under Azm-e-Istehkam would continue until terrorism backed by foreign elements was eliminated. He also praised security forces and law enforcement agencies for their continued efforts and sacrifices.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to the security forces for the operations in Kachhi and Kharan. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, he praised their efforts and honoured Sepoy Hikmatullah’s sacrifice.

Shehbaz said security forces were achieving significant successes against terrorism under Azm-e-Istehkam. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism in all its forms.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also commended the security forces. He praised their professionalism and said they had foiled the militants’ plans.

Naqvi paid tribute to Sepoy Hikmatullah, saying the soldier had set a supreme example by giving his life for the country.

Pakistan has faced a rising number of militant attacks since 2022, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), a global monitoring organisation.

ACLED data showed that attacks in Pakistan rose nearly fourfold, from 658 in 2022 to 2,425 in 2025. TTP attacks increased more than sevenfold during the same period, rising from 118 to 838.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has borne the brunt of militant violence, while Balochistan has also faced frequent attacks. Militants have targeted security convoys, abducted personnel and civilians, and attacked military and civilian installations.

However, attacks declined in October after two consecutive months of rising violence. Kidnappings, particularly in Balochistan, remained a major security concern.

The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based research organisation, reported a 46 per cent decline in terrorist attacks in Balochistan. The province recorded 71 attacks in October, down from 132 in September.

Across Pakistan, the number of attacks fell from 226 in September to 143 in October.

The decline also extended to casualties. PICSS recorded 111 deaths in October, compared with 260 in September. The number of injured people fell from 242 to 69, a decrease of 71 per cent.

Suicide attacks also dropped substantially and reached a joint low for the period covered by the report. However, the 169 militants killed in October marked the lowest monthly figure in the preceding 12 months, according to PICSS.