The Pakistani military on Friday pushed back against what it described as a deliberate campaign to portray the security situation in Balochistan as deteriorating, revealing that security forces have conducted more than 40,000 intelligence-based operations nationwide this year under the Azm-e-Istehkam campaign.
During a detailed press briefing in Rawalpindi, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry presented the latest figures on military operations, terrorism incidents, and casualties recorded so far in 2026. He reiterated a hardline stance, stating the state would not negotiate with terrorists and vowed an uncompromising response against militancy.
Unprecedented Operational Tempo
Lt Gen Chaudhry provided an overview of the country’s security landscape, stating that a total of 40,348 intelligence-based operations had been carried out by the armed forces, police, civil armed forces, and intelligence agencies this year. He noted that the operational pace has reached nearly 200 operations daily, averaging around 194, which he framed as evidence of an uninterrupted nationwide campaign against terrorism.
A breakdown of the figures showed a significant focus on Balochistan, where 31,080 operations were conducted. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw 7,177 operations, while 2,091 operations were carried out in other parts of the country.
The military spokesperson said these operations resulted in the killing of 2,084 confirmed terrorists, averaging about 10 militant deaths every day. He described this as the highest daily ratio recorded so far, reflecting growing effectiveness in counterterrorism efforts. To provide broader context, he noted that 2,597 terrorists were killed during the entirety of 2025, and with five months still remaining in 2026, the current campaign is demonstrating significant progress in kinetic operations against militant groups.
Terrorism Incidents and Casualties
Despite the high operational tempo, Lt Gen Chaudhry acknowledged that Pakistan had recorded 3,145 terrorism incidents so far this year. The majority of these incidents occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which accounted for 1,971 attacks, followed by 1,148 incidents in Balochistan and 26 in other regions.
He reported that 28 suicide attacks had taken place during 2026. The military spokesperson alleged that the majority of these attacks involved Afghan nationals, including individuals linked to recent incidents in the Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and in Karachi. He further alleged that individuals associated with Afghan security forces had been involved in several suicide attacks.
The human cost of these incidents stands at 819 Pakistanis martyred, averaging around four deaths every day. The casualties included 303 army personnel, 194 members of police and other law enforcement agencies, and 322 civilians. Lt Gen Chaudhry highlighted a shifting trend in the casualty ratio, stating that while the number of security personnel and civilians martyred previously exceeded the number of terrorists killed the trend began reversing in 2024. By 2025, security forces were eliminating at least two terrorists for every martyr, and this ratio has increased to approximately 2.5 terrorists for every martyr in 2026.
Countering Balochistan Narrative
Addressing the situation in Balochistan directly, Lt Gen Chaudhry claimed that negative propaganda was being deliberately spread to portray the province as increasingly unstable. He stressed that Pakistan’s Constitution and laws applied equally to every citizen and that loyalty to the state was a universal responsibility.
The military spokesperson launched a sharp critique of certain influential elites and tribal Sardars, accusing them of obstructing the progress of children from poor families through education. He stated that the armed forces would speak directly to the people of Balochistan rather than to those he accused of protecting vested interests.
He further alleged that some elements opposed development projects in the province and targeted labourers to obstruct progress. Referring to provincial development funds, he claimed certain tribal leaders sought a share in public resources and threatened violence if their demands were not met. Lt Gen Chaudhry also accused some Sardars of treating the Levies Force as a personal tribal force and alleged that smuggling of narcotics and diesel continued under the guise of business activities.
No Room for Negotiation
The DG ISPR broadened his allegations to include external actors, claiming the Afghan Taliban regime was supporting terrorist groups operating against Pakistan. He questioned what common interests existed between Afghanistan, India, and the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
Reaffirming the state’s policy, Lt Gen Chaudhry declared there was no room for negotiations with terrorists. He stated that militants had only two options: surrender their weapons or face decisive action, adding that terrorists had realized there would be no leniency in the state’s response.
Commenting on the political discourse, the military spokesperson said some groups frequently spoke about rights but should also recognize their responsibilities. Referring to Article 5 of the Constitution, he said loyalty to the state was a constitutional obligation and described a “hard state” as one in which all affairs were governed strictly according to the Constitution and the law.
