The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Pakistani security forces killed three militants during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Awaran district, security sources said Thursday.
The operation was carried out in the Badrang area of Awaran
as part of an ongoing counterterrorism campaign known as Rad-ul-Fitna-3,
according to the sources.
The sources said a large quantity of weapons and ammunition
was recovered from the militants. They did not provide further details about
the identities of those killed.
The operation came days after security forces said they
killed three militants, including a commander identified as Naqeeb, in an
operation in Mastung district of Balochistan. Their vehicle was also destroyed,
according to security sources.
Pakistan has faced an increase in militant violence in
recent years, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and
Balochistan. Pakistani authorities have repeatedly accused militant groups of
operating from neighboring Afghanistan, an allegation the Taliban authorities
in Kabul have rejected.
According to a report by the Centre for Research and
Security Studies, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan remained Pakistan’s main
hotspots for violence during the second quarter of 2026.
The report said the two provinces accounted for nearly 96%
of all violence-related deaths recorded nationwide during the quarter. Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa recorded 475 deaths, or more than 61% of the total, while
Balochistan accounted for 265 deaths, or 34%.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also recorded the highest number of
violent incidents, with 151 cases, representing 57% of the nationwide total.
Balochistan reported 94 incidents, or 35%, according to the report.
