According to Dawn, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that Pakistani security forces carried out multiple intelligence-based counterterrorism operations across Balochistan, resulting in the deaths of four militants and the death of a military officer.

What happened

The military's media wing stated that security personnel executed targeted operations in the Jattakabad area of Kalat district, as well as Shadi Kaur and Pasni within Gwadar district. These actions targeted hideouts linked to groups designated by the Pakistani state as Fitna al Hindustan, a title used to highlight alleged Indian involvement in regional destabilization and terrorism.

Key facts

  • On October 18, security forces killed four terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in Jattakabad, Kalat, where a large cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered.
  • During a clearance operation in Gwadar, 34-year-old Major Wajahat Waheed, a resident of Lahore, was killed in an improvised explosive device attack while leading his unit.
  • Sanitisation efforts remain underway to eliminate remaining insurgents, operating under the "Azm-e-Istehkam" campaign approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan.
  • The exact time of day when the Gwadar attack occurred was not specified in the source; please check the official notice.

Why it matters

According to Dawn, Balochistan has experienced a notable surge in terrorism in recent years, prompting security agencies to step up counterterrorism actions across the province:

  • A day prior to the latest report, security forces killed eight militants in Quetta, Nushki, and Khuzdar.
  • Forces previously killed five militants in Washuk on the night of October 12 to 13, alongside five others eliminated in Mastung district earlier in the month.
  • Provincial government officials reported holding around 90 arrested suspects at an investigation center, including six individuals affiliated with Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, two commanders, and two prospective female suicide bombers.
  • Data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies shows terrorist attacks in Balochistan grew by seven percent, from 83 in July to 89 in August, making it the most affected province in Pakistan.
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Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 19, 2026 · Photo by Umar Farooq on Unsplash