Pakistani forces kill two militants, capture five in Balochistan operations

ISLAMABAD: Security forces in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province conducted two separate intelligence-based operations, killing two militants and apprehending five more, according to an official statement circulated by the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Saturday.
Balochistan, which shares its border with Iran and Afghanistan, has been the scene of a low-level insurgency by separatist Baloch militant groups. Pakistani authorities believe these armed ethnic outfits are also supported by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whose fighters mainly generate violence in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Nearly two months ago, Balochistan witnessed a series of coordinated militant attacks across different parts of the province, killing more than 50 people. Subsequently, Pakistani officials vowed to launch “smart kinetic operations” to deal with the situation, rather than a full-scale military campaign.
“On 18 October 24, security forces conducted a successful intelligence-based operation in [Balochistan’s] District Pishin on the reported presence of Khwarij [militants],” the ISPR said in the statement. “During the operation, five Khwarij were apprehended, and a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, including three suicide vests, were seized.”
The statement said the captured militants were involved in multiple attacks targeting security forces and civilians.
It added that in another operation in District Zhob on October 17, two militants were killed during an intense exchange of fire.
The ISPR said Pakistani forces recovered a large quantity of weapons and ammunition from the possession of the dead militants.
It noted that security forces remain steadfast in their commitment to eradicating militant violence from the country and protecting the people from such armed factions.