Pakistan says 19 militants, 11 soldiers killed in Balochistan operation

Pakistan's security forces killed 19 suspected militants while 11 soldiers were killed during an intelligence-based operation in the southwestern province of Balochistan, according to security sources on July 8.

The operation took place along the N-25 highway between Jhao Cross and Kararo, where authorities said militants identified as belonging to "Fitna al-Hindustan" were allegedly extorting money from travellers and local residents, Caliber.Az reports via Pakistani media.

Security officials said the operation was launched after intelligence indicated militant activity in the area. They pledged to continue efforts to secure key transport routes and protect civilians, saying attempts to destabilise Balochistan would be met with force.

The operation came a day after armed attackers stormed a police checkpoint in the Mangi area of Ziarat district, killing nine police officers and abducting five others, according to local police. Officials said the assault triggered a firefight before the attackers fled with the abducted personnel.

Balochistan, along with neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has experienced a surge in militant violence since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Pakistan has accused militant groups operating from Afghan territory of carrying out cross-border attacks and says it has responded with military operations targeting what it describes as terrorist sanctuaries. The Afghan Taliban administration has repeatedly denied allowing Afghan soil to be used for attacks against neighbouring countries.

Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have remained strained despite several rounds of talks, with Pakistan continuing to press Afghanistan's authorities to take action against armed groups it says are operating across the border.