15 Soldiers, 92 Militants Killed in Balochistan Security Ops

February 1, 2026

At least 15 Pakistani soldiers and 92 militants were killed on Saturday during counter-terrorism operations across the restive southwestern Balochistan province, the Pakistan Army said, following a series of coordinated militant attacks at multiple locations.

The security operations were launched after armed attacks by fighters from ethnic Baloch militant groups at sites including Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, and Pasni. Security forces responded swiftly to repel the assaults and restore order.

Militant Assaults Spread Across the Province

According to the military’s media wing, militants initiated coordinated assaults targeting both security installations and civilian areas in several districts. 18 civilians, including women, children and the elderly, were reported killed in attacks particularly in Gwadar and Kharan.

The militants also included at least three suicide bombers among those neutralised during security operations. Forces carried out prolonged and intense clearance efforts to regain control over affected towns and strategic positions.

Continuing Counter-Terror Campaign

Troops and law enforcement agencies remained on high alert, with ongoing “sanitisation” operations in affected regions to hunt down any remaining militant elements. The army said those responsible for plotting and facilitating the attacks would be brought to justice.

Separately, on Friday, security forces killed 41 militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in operations in Panjgur and Harnai districts, bringing the total operational militant deaths in the province to 133 over two days.

Government and Military Response

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) condemned the militant offensives and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to counter-terrorism efforts. The Prime Minister and Interior Minister also praised the security forces for their resilience and rapid response.

Saudi Arabia condemned the separatist attacks as well, expressing solidarity with Pakistan and supporting counter-terrorism efforts.

Longstanding Insurgency in Balochistan

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, has long faced a separatist insurgency led by militant groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and others. These groups have repeatedly carried out attacks on security forces and civilians in pursuit of autonomy or other political goals.

The recent spike in violence underscores ongoing security challenges for the Pakistani state and highlights the complexity of maintaining peace and development in the region.