16 more terrorists killed in ongoing operation in Balochistan, taking overall tally since July 5 to 95: state media

Lead

Pakistan's security forces have killed at least 88 terrorists in Balochistan since July 5 as part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations, according to official statements. The operations, named Operation Shaban and Operation Al-Azm, were launched after a series of attacks across the province.

The death toll was confirmed by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who said in a statement on July 11 that the total number of terrorists killed since July 5 had reached 88. The minister said nine terrorists were killed in the past 24 hours. State media earlier reported varying tallies, with at least 90, 95, and 102 terrorists reported killed on successive days, citing security sources.

Coverage comparison

Reports from Dawn and The Hindu — World, the two outlets whose coverage was reviewed, provide a consistent picture of the military operations and their stated objectives, though the precise number of casualties has evolved as operations continue.

Dawn, citing state media, reported that 16 terrorists were killed in an operation described as "Operation Shaban," with five of them belonging to Fitna al Khawarij — a term the state uses for terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan — and two linked to Fitna al Hindustan, a designation for terrorist organisations in Balochistan. Later reports from the same outlet carried higher tallies, with 23 more terrorists killed, taking the overall count to 102, and 11 more killed, taking the tally to 90.

The Hindu — World, citing government sources, reported that at least 88 terrorists were killed since the launch of Operation Shaban on July 5. The outlet focused on the coordinated attacks that preceded the operation, including an attack on a police checkpoint at Mangi Dam in Ziarat district, and on the families of slain policemen who staged protests.

Both outlets attribute the figures to security sources and state-run media, including Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television. The interior minister's statement corroborates the 88 figure, though Dawn's reports suggest the tally later rose beyond that.

Key claims

The operations were launched after insurgents carried out several coordinated attacks across Balochistan on July 5, according to official accounts. The deadliest attack targeted a police checkpoint at Mangi Dam, where militants killed nine policemen and abducted 18 others. Their bodies were later recovered from the Zarghoon Gar mountainous area near Ziarat, as reported by The Hindu — World.

Families of the slain policemen held a sit-in protest at Koila Phatak Chowk on the outskirts of Quetta, demanding justice and improved security. The protesters brought eight of the 18 bodies from the Civil Hospital in Quetta to the protest site, saying they would not bury them until the government assured them of justice and better protection for police personnel, according to The Hindu — World.

Also on July 5, militants attacked members of the Hanna Urak Valley tribe near Quetta, killing five tribesmen, injuring eight others, and abducting 11 people. The abducted tribesmen were recovered on Friday night, following which a protest by their relatives was called off.

Dawn reported that Operation Al-Azm was launched after a shooting on a Karachi-bound coach coming from Quetta claimed three lives and injured five others on Wednesday. The same outlet noted that security forces had killed 10 terrorists and apprehended two suicide bombers and their facilitator during operations in Balochistan's Mastung and Surab districts over a 48-hour period.

The military's media affairs wing said in a statement that the operations were continuing across Balochistan, with the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, and police conducting coordinated air and ground operations against terrorist hideouts. Security sources stated that the operation would continue until the last terrorist was eliminated, as quoted by state-run Pakistan Television.

A curfew was imposed in the Khud Kocha area of Mastung district to facilitate an operation there, according to Dawn. The report said the curfew was indefinite, imposed after three people were killed and five injured in a gun attack on a passenger bus and a bridge was damaged in an explosion.

A monthly security assessment released in early June by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said Balochistan recorded 71 terrorist attacks in May, compared with 34 in April, a 109% increase, according to Dawn. The province also accounted for 52 of 54 abductions reported nationwide during May.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the army, Balochistan Frontier Corps, and other security forces for their role in the operations, as reported by Dawn.

Perspectives

Pakistan government and security forces: Officials and the military's media wing assert that the operations target terrorist groups responsible for attacks on civilians and police. They have described the campaign as a high-intensity counter-terrorism initiative and vowed to continue until all terrorists are eliminated.

Families of slain policemen: Relatives of officers killed in the Mangi Dam attack have staged protests and refused to bury their dead until the government addresses their demands for justice and better security for law enforcement personnel.

Local tribal communities: Members of the Hanna Urak Valley tribe, who were attacked and abducted, have also expressed their grievances through protests, which were called off after the recovery of the abducted individuals.