Pakistan's Operation Shaban in Balochistan kills 88 militants

Pakistan’s security forces have intensified a joint counter‑terrorism campaign in Balochistan after the July 5 attack on the Mangi Dam police post, which killed nine officers and sparked Operation Shaban. The operation, conducted by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police, has raised the death toll of militants to 88, including 52 killed directly under Operation Shaban. Nine more militants were eliminated in the latest air‑ground assault.

The attacks in July also resulted in 42 security personnel and civilians being martyred across three coordinated strikes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Quetta, promised compensation for the families of the 42 victims, and blamed India for supporting the proxy groups Fitna al‑Khawarij and Fitna al‑Hindustan. Separate reports say 75 insurgents were killed in days‑long operations following the Mangi Dam assault, with 9 police officers and 15 attackers killed in the initial clash and 18 abducted officers later shot dead. The crackdown underscores Pakistan’s broader effort to suppress separatist and extremist groups in the province.