A soldier was martyred while security forces killed 17 militants in two intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Kachhi and Kharan districts, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.
“On November 1, 2026, security forces conducted two intelligence-based operations in Kachhi and Kharan districts of Balochistan on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxies, Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij, neutralising 17 Indian-sponsored terrorists,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
The federal government last year officially designated all militant groups operating in Balochistan as Fitna al-Hindustan, accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through these outfits. Fitna al-Khawarij is a term used by the state for terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Read: Nine terrorists killed in two intelligence-based operations in Balochistan: ISPR
The first operation was conducted in the Sanni area of Kachhi district, where security forces foiled an attempt by terrorists to establish a roadblock, killing 10 of them. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered.
In the second operation in Kharan district, security forces busted a terrorist hideout. Following an intense exchange of fire, seven TTP members were killed, the ISPR said, adding that weapons and ammunition were also recovered.
On 1 November 2026, security forces conducted two intelligence based operations in Kachhi and Kharan Districts of Balochistan, on reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna Al Hindustan and Fitna Al Khawarij, neutralising seventeen Indian sponsored… pic.twitter.com/ACEpQDCJdI
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) November 3, 2026
“Meanwhile, during the intense fire exchange, Sepoy Hikmatullah, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom,” the statement said.
Sanitisation operations were underway to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area, it added.
The ISPR said the counterterrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace to eliminate the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for killing the 17 terrorists in the two operations.
President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday paid tribute to the security forces for killing 17 terrorists in Balochistan's Kachhi and Kharan districts, in operations against Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij militants.#AsifAliZardari #SecurityForces #FitnaalHindustan pic.twitter.com/NMQoQnIblV
— APP (@appcsocialmedia) November 3, 2026
In a statement, the president commended security forces for foiling the attempt to block a road in Kachhi district, saying their timely and effective action had thwarted the militants’ designs.
He also lauded the successful operation in Kharan district and expressed grief over the martyrdom of Sepoy Hikmatullah.
Also Read: Terrorist killed in intelligence-based operation in Balochistan's Kech district: state media
Zardari said the soldier’s sacrifice for the defence, peace and security of the country would always be remembered.
The president said operations under Azm-e-Istehkam would continue until terrorism sponsored and supported by foreign elements was eliminated.
He also praised the continued efforts and sacrifices of security forces and law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism, describing them as a source of pride.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for successful operations against India-backed Fitna al-Hindustan terrorists in Balochistan's Kachhi and Kharan districts.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی صوبہء بلوچستان کے اضلاع، کچھی اور خاران میں بھارتی حمایت یافتہ فتنتہ الہندوستان کے دہشت گردوں کے خلاف سیکیورٹی فورسز کے کامیاب آپریشنز کی پذیرائی#PMShehbazSharif #Balochistan #SecurityForces #CounterTerrorism #Kharan #Kachhi pic.twitter.com/pVnDjj0TDf
— APP (@appcsocialmedia) November 3, 2026
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the prime minister commended the security forces for the operations while also paying tribute to Sepoy Hikmatullah, who was martyred during an operation against terrorists in Kharan.
He said the security forces were achieving significant successes against terrorism under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam and reiterated the government's resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country in all its forms.
Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to security forces for their successful operations against Indian-sponsored militants in Balochistan, commending their professionalism in foiling the militants’ nefarious designs.
وفاقی وزیر داخلہ محسن نقوی کا بلوچستان میں بھارتی سپانسرڈ دہشت گردوں کے خلاف کامیاب آپریشنز پر سکیورٹی فورسز کو خراج تحسین
وفاقی وزیر داخلہ نے دہشت گردوں کے مذموم عزائم ناکام بنانے پر سکیورٹی فورسز کی پیشہ ورانہ صلاحیتوں کو سراہا
— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) November 3, 2026
“I salute the security forces for sending 17 Indian-sponsored terrorists to hell,” he said.
He also paid tribute to Sepoy Hikmatullah, who was martyred during the operations, saying the soldier had set a supreme example by sacrificing his life for the country.
Terrorism is a growing problem for Pakistan, with the number of attacks rising every year since 2022, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), a global monitoring organisation. Data from ACLED shows attacks in Pakistan rose nearly fourfold to 2,425 in 2025 from 658 in 2022, and over the same period, TTP attacks increased more than sevenfold to 838 from 118.
Although K-P has borne the brunt of terrorism, Balochistan has also remained a major target of Indian proxies, which often target civilians and military installations in the province.
Over the past few years, Balochistan has witnessed an increase in terrorist attacks, with militants frequently targeting convoys, abducting security personnel and civilians, and attacking security and civilian installations.
However, attacks declined noticeably in October, offering a temporary respite after two consecutive months of rising violence. A sharp increase in kidnappings, particularly in Balochistan, nevertheless continued to pose a serious security challenge.
Also Read: Terror attacks in country drop by 37% in October
According to statistics released by the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), Balochistan registered one of the sharpest improvements in its security indicators, with terrorist attacks falling by 46 per cent, from 132 in September to 71 in October.
Overall, 143 terrorist attacks were recorded across the country during October, compared with 226 in September.
The reduction was accompanied by a 57 per cent fall in fatalities and a 71 per cent decline in injuries, while suicide attacks also registered a substantial decrease.
PICSS data showed that the attacks claimed 111 lives in October, compared with 260 in September. The number of people injured dropped from 242 to 69, indicating a 71 per cent reduction.
The number of suicide attacks was jointly the lowest recorded during the same period. However, the 169 terrorists killed also represented the lowest monthly figure in the preceding 12 months, reflecting a decline in terrorist fatalities, the report noted.
The post Soldier martyred, 17 terrorists killed in Balochistan IBOs: ISPR appeared first on express tribune.
