Security forces killed three more militants during an ongoing intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Khad Kocha area of Balochistan’s Mastung district, bringing the total number of insurgent casualties to 13 under the newly launched Operation Al-Azm.
The operation, executed under an indefinite local curfew, was triggered following a deadly assault on a Karachi-bound passenger coach coming from Quetta that left three passengers dead and five injured. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi commended the security personnel for their operational execution, affirming that targeted sweeps will continue across Balochistan until militant infrastructure is fully dismantled.
Security forces are continuing effective counterterrorism actions in #Balochistan under Intelligence-Based #OperationAlAzm@OfficialDGISPR @dpr_gob #RadioPakistan #News #FitnaUlHindustanhttps://t.co/4j9nrSjCt3 pic.twitter.com/2HdhJV6sr1
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) July 25, 2026
Tactical Successes and Recoveries Under Operation Al-Azm
State-run Radio Pakistan reported that forces targeted hidden encampments linked to the state-designated network “Fitna-al-Hindustan”:
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Progressive Neutralization: Forces killed six militants during initial encounters, four more in subsequent engagements, and three additional combatants on Saturday, pushing the operational casualty count for insurgents to 13.
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Infrastructure Destruction: Several fortified hideouts were destroyed in the Khad Kocha sector, with multiple insurgents reported injured during heavy exchanges of fire.
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Seizure of Munitions: Search teams recovered significant stashes of automatic weapons, ammunition, and improvised explosive device (IED) manufacturing components from the cleared sites.
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High-Value Captures & Parallel Violence: Earlier phases of the sweep saw the arrest of two female suicide bombers and their primary facilitator. The operation coincides with a heightened threat environment marked by the assassination of District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar in Mastung.
Strategic Analysis: Kinetic Intensity vs. Political Reconciliation
The ongoing sweep in Mastung highlights a dual-track dynamic unfolding across central Balochistan:
Sustained Kinetic Escalation via Operation Al-Azm and Operation Shaban
Operation Al-Azm represents a direct continuation of the province-wide military posture established under Operation Shaban, which accounted for 91 militant casualties between July 5 and July 16, taking the total insurgent death toll past 120 in recent weeks. By enforcing localized curfews and employing intelligence-led block-and-search tactics, the military is seeking to sever supply lines used by insurgent cells operating along the strategic Quetta-Karachi transport corridor.
Parallel Calls for Political Dialogue
Even as counter-terrorism sweeps intensify, provincial leadership is emphasizing the necessity of political engagement. Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove reiterated the provincial government’s readiness for dialogue, framing parliament as the primary platform to address regional grievances. This dual approach aims to isolate hardline violent networks through targeted security operations while keeping diplomatic and parliamentary channels open for non-violent political resolution.
