Security forces have killed ten terrorists allegedly sponsored by India during a sanitization operation in Balochistan’s Zhob district, the military’s media wing announced on Thursday.
Operation Details and Recovery
According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was conducted on February 25, 2026, following an earlier intelligence-based operation (IBO) on February 24 that neutralized eight militants. Forces tracked and engaged the terrorists across multiple routes, resulting in a firefight that left all ten “sent to hell.” The military recovered weapons, ammunition, and explosives from the slain individuals, who were described as being actively involved in terrorist activities in the region.
Ongoing Counter-Terrorism Campaign
The ISPR stated that sanitization operations continue to eliminate any remaining terrorists in the area. The action is part of the relentless “Azm-e-Istehkam” counter-terrorism campaign, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. The statement emphasized that security and law enforcement agencies are committed to eradicating foreign-sponsored terrorism from Pakistan.
Regional Security Context
The operation occurs amid heightened regional tensions. Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has reported a surge in cross-border terrorist attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Recent months have seen escalated hostilities, including Pakistani airstrikes on terrorist camps in Afghanistan and border clashes that have resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban regime of failing to act against militant groups operating from its soil.
The latest operation underscores Pakistan’s ongoing security challenges and its military’s continued focus on combating insurgent threats along its western frontier.
