Six militants killed in Mastung security operation
Six suspected militants were killed and several others, including male and female suicide bombers, were arrested during an intelligence-based operation carried out by security forces in the Khad Kocha area of Mastung district, Balochistan, on Thursday.
The operation was conducted as part of the ongoing Operation Shaban, a joint counterterrorism campaign involving the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police. The campaign was launched after the terrorist attack on the Mangi Dam Police Station and continues in different parts of the province to eliminate militant networks.
According to official sources, security forces launched the raid after receiving credible intelligence about the presence of militants in the area. During the operation, troops surrounded the suspected hideouts and engaged the militants in an exchange of fire.
Officials said six militants were killed during the operation, while several others were taken into custody. Those arrested included alleged facilitators as well as male and female suicide bombers who were reportedly planning future attacks. Security personnel also destroyed multiple militant hideouts and recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives from the site.
The military said security forces have intensified intelligence-based operations across Balochistan to dismantle terrorist networks and prevent attacks on civilians and security personnel. Officials maintained that such operations would continue until militant infrastructure is completely dismantled.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for the successful operation and commended their professionalism and courage. He said the forces had once again foiled the plans of militants attempting to spread violence and instability in Balochistan.
He added that the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism remains unwavering and that the entire nation stands with the armed forces and law enforcement agencies in their efforts to restore peace and stability.
The latest operation came only hours after unidentified gunmen attacked a vehicle carrying members of the judiciary on the National Highway in Mastung. A district and sessions judge and his security guard were killed in the attack, while an additional sessions judge and another person suffered serious injuries. Security forces later cordoned off the area, launched a search operation and established checkpoints to trace the attackers.
The operation also follows another series of intelligence-based raids carried out a day earlier, during which security forces killed 10 suspected militants and arrested two female suicide bombers along with a facilitator in different areas of Balochistan.
