Pakistan’s security forces have killed nine more militants in the ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan, bringing the total number of militants killed since July 5 to 88, security officials said on Saturday.
The operation, being conducted jointly by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police, was launched following the attack on the Mangi Dam police post in Quetta district’s Shaban area. Security officials said coordinated air and ground operations are continuing against terrorist hideouts across the area.
According to officials, the latest action has increased the number of terrorists killed under Operation Shaban to 52. They said the overall tally of 88 includes militants eliminated in the operation as well as other intelligence-based actions carried out since the attack.
The operation was initiated after terrorists attacked the Mangi Dam police post, where nine police personnel, including two station house officers, were martyred. During the assault, 18 other policemen were abducted at gunpoint before their bodies were later recovered from the Zarghoon Gar mountain range.
Security officials said that the operation is progressing according to plan, with forces continuing to target terrorist positions through coordinated assaults. They added that efforts remain focused on dismantling militant infrastructure and pursuing those responsible for the attack.
Officials reiterated that Operation Shaban would continue until all terrorists involved had been eliminated and the area had been fully cleared. They said the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police were maintaining close coordination throughout the operation to prevent militants from regrouping or escaping.
