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Terrorism

Pakistan Vows to Counter Terrorism in Balochistan, Eyes Operation Similar to Zarb-e-Azb

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pakistan remains committed to combating terrorism, and the government is considering launching an operation in Balochistan similar to the 2014 Zarb-e-Azb operation against terrorist outfits in the then-Federally Administered Tribal Areas (ex-Fata). The interior secretary and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General hinted at this possibility at a joint press conference just days after a barbaric suicide bomb attack on a school bus in Khuzdar, Balochistan, which claimed the lives of eight people, including six schoolchildren.

Key Takeaways:

  • The government is considering an operation in Balochistan similar to Zarb-e-Azb, a 2014 military operation against terrorist outfits in the then-Federally Administered Tribal Areas (ex-Fata).
  • The interior secretary and the ISPR Director General stressed that Pakistan is committed to combating terrorism and will take decisive action against terrorists.
  • The government is investigating the Khuzdar attack, which was blamed on India-sponsored attackers, and has condemned the "cowardly attack on innocent children."
  • The ISPR Director General revealed that arrested terrorists had admitted to receiving funding from India for various attacks.
  • The security forces have intensified operations against militants, and so far in 2025, 747 terrorists have been killed, including 203 in Balochistan.
  • The government highlighted the development projects in Balochistan, including investments in the blue economy, the Gwadar International Airport, and the ongoing construction of roads, hospitals, and technical institutes.
  • The ISPR Director General emphasized that Balochistan's growing prosperity is a challenge for terrorists, as it shows the strength of Pakistan's unity and the growing opportunities for its people.
  • The DG ISPR pointed out that India's proxy terrorism is creating a situation where the Pakistani military is compelled to take action.

Statistics:

  • There were 4,664 terrorist incidents across Pakistan, with 1,612 occurring in Balochistan.
  • Security forces conducted 93,515 counter-terrorism operations nationwide, including 52,887 in Balochistan.
  • In 2024, security forces killed 1,018 terrorists across the country, including 233 in Balochistan.
  • So far in 2025, 747 terrorists have been killed, including 203 in Balochistan.

Sources:

  • Rawalpindi: Government hints at operation in Balochistan similar to Zarb-e-Azb.
  • Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, and Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha, at a joint press conference.

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