ISLAMABAD — The Pakistani military reported that its forces killed 12 militants, including a key commander, in separate military operations and clashes in the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to Pakistani media citing the military, the operations took place in the Kach area of Balochistan and the Miran Shah area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The military stated that one of the militants killed, identified as “Sana Baru,” was a commander in Balochistan’s Kach region who was reportedly responsible for recruiting, including organizing suicide bombers for a faction known as the Majeed Brigade.
While the Pakistani military refers to anti-government militants as “terrorists,” it did not specify which groups were involved in the recent operations. However, the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) are two groups known for frequent clashes with Pakistani forces and for carrying out bombings and suicide attacks across the country.
The military’s statement indicated that the clash in Kach, Balochistan, began when security forces launched an intelligence-based operation in the Balgtar area of the district. During the operation, security forces reportedly engaged in intense gunfire with militants, resulting in casualties among the militants.
“During the operation, after an intense exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists, four terrorists, including a high-value target and leader of the militant group known as ‘Sana Baru,’ were killed,” the military stated.
In a separate statement, the military said that security forces conducted another intelligence-based operation in Miran Shah, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where eight militants were killed.
“Between November 12 and 13, 2024, security forces conducted an intelligence-driven operation in the general area of Miran Shah, North Waziristan District, based on reports of militant presence,” the statement read.
These operations come amid a recent uptick in attacks targeting security forces, government officials, and checkpoints, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Just last Saturday, a suicide bombing at a railway station in Quetta, Balochistan, killed at least 26 people, including Pakistani security personnel, and injured more than 50 others.
The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack in Quetta.
