Pakistan: Operation Shaban Continues, Security Forces Kill More Terrorists in Balochistan

Security forces in Pakistan's Balochistan province have killed an additional three terrorists as part of the ongoing Operation Shaban, state broadcaster PTV News reported. This brings the total number of terrorists eliminated in the operation to 67. The broader security campaign, which includes air and ground operations against the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has resulted in the deaths of 105 terrorists since July 5, according to state media.

The operation is a collaborative effort involving the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, and Balochistan Police. It was initiated following a deadly terrorist attack in the Mangi Dam area on July 7, which resulted in the martyrdom of several police personnel. Security sources stated that the joint operation in the Quetta district's Shaban area specifically targets terrorists responsible for the killing of 27 police officers during an earlier assault on a police post at the Mangi dam pumping station. In that attack, nine police personnel were killed, and 18 others were taken hostage before being executed.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the escalating security situation, stating that the nation's civil and military leadership has made a "mutual and singular decision" to eradicate terrorism collectively. He made these remarks during a meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee on the National Action Plan in Quetta, attended by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had previously disclosed that at least 42 individuals, including four civilians, 27 policemen, and 11 security personnel, had lost their lives in terrorist attacks and subsequent operations in Balochistan since July 5. The government's renewed commitment aims to bring an end to the persistent wave of terrorism plaguing the region.

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One thing is decided: it is a mutual and singular decision of the civil and military leadership that we must end terrorism collectively.