Pakistani security forces killed 48 militants in a series of raids on hideouts in the country's restive southwest over the past 72 hours, the military announced on Friday. The operations were conducted in the Balochistan districts of Mastung, Sibi, Quetta, and Kalat, based on intelligence gathered, according to a military statement. Security forces also recovered a cache of weapons during these operations.
The military identified the killed individuals as members of outlawed militant groups, including the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), referring to them with the term "Khawariج." The statement also described the militants as "Indian-sponsored terrorists" but did not provide further details or evidence. Security forces are continuing to search the area for any remaining militants.
Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province by area but with the lowest population density, has been the site of a long-standing separatist insurgency, primarily led by the BLA, which has conducted numerous attacks in recent years. This development follows an announcement from the previous day, where the military reported that security forces killed 15 militants attempting to cross into northwestern Pakistan from Afghanistan.
Militant violence in Pakistan has escalated in recent months, with much of the surge attributed to the TTP. This group is distinct from but allied with the Afghan Taliban. Pakistan contends that many TTP leaders and fighters have found refuge in Afghanistan since the Taliban regained control in 2021, an assertion that Kabul denies.