Pakistan's Operation Shaban kills 88 militants in Balochistan

Security forces in Pakistan have intensified Operation Shaban, a joint campaign by the Army, Frontier Corps and provincial police aimed at dismantling militant hideouts in Balochistan. The operation, launched after a coordinated attack on the Mangi Dam police post that left 27 officers dead, has raised the official militant death toll to 88, with a cumulative figure of 126 militants killed since the offensive began on July 5.

The latest actions included aerial and ground strikes that eliminated three more terrorists and recovered a cache of weapons, including sub‑machine guns and rocket launchers. In parallel, authorities recovered the bullet‑riddled bodies of four abducted security personnel—Inspector Zubair Ahmed of the Airport Security Force and three others—who had been kidnapped in July. Families of the slain officers continue sit‑ins demanding further action, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the forces for “courage and professionalism.”

Security officials say the campaign will persist until “the last terrorist” is neutralised, signalling a sustained effort to curb insurgent activity in the province.