At least eight suspected terrorists were killed by Pakistani security forces on the outskirts of Quetta in the restive province of Balochistan on Wednesday, officials said. The operation was carried out by the Balochistan Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) based on actionable intelligence, aimed at preventing an alleged major terror strike in the provincial capital.
According to a CTD spokesperson, the raid took place near Darakshan town, where militants engaged security forces before being neutralised in the ensuing gunfight. Investigators later found eight bodies at the scene, and evidence suggested the possibility that some militants may have escaped, prompting further searches in the area.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the outcome of the operation and reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling insurgent activity in Balochistan, where separatist and militant groups have been active for decades. The authorities indicated the suspects were believed to have travelled from Mastung district with plans to carry out attacks in Quetta, though details of any specific plot were not disclosed.
The province has seen rising militant violence in recent weeks, with previous coordinated attacks claiming the lives of security personnel and civilians, and subsequent counterterrorism operations resulting in heavy casualties among insurgent ranks, according to military sources.
Officials said the intelligence‑based operation was part of an ongoing effort to disrupt militant networks and enhance law and order in Balochistan, which has faced long‑running separatist insurgency and sporadic violence targeting both state forces and communities.
Authorities have maintained heightened security across key districts and are continuing follow‑up operations to track down any remaining suspects linked to the group targeted in the recent raid.
