A spokesman for the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Balochistan announced on Thursday that a joint operation was launched based on intelligence about a terrorist group’s presence in the Akalzai Yaro area of Pishin.
When CTD personnel cordoned off the area, the terrorists opened fire. Security forces immediately retaliated, leading to an intense exchange of fire that lasted over an hour. During the gun battle, four members of Fitna al Khawarij—a term used by the state for the TTP—were killed. A large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from their hideout, including two SMGs, two 9mm pistols, three hand grenades, and a significant amount of explosive material.
The spokesman added that the deceased suspects were directly involved in multiple terrorist incidents, such as an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on an FC truck in Chaman in January, an IED attack on a Levies official in March, and the target killings of two police officials, Mohammad Hashim and Shaheed Zainullah, in 2022. Further investigation is ongoing.
Kharan Attack
In a separate incident, unknown gunmen killed four family members and abducted four others from a remote area of Kharan district on Thursday. Police reported that the event occurred in the Laja area, where a large group of armed men arrived late Wednesday night. They forcibly entered a house and opened fire on the occupants, killing four people—three of whom were brothers—on the spot.
A senior police official said the victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds, causing their immediate death and severe mutilation. The attackers also abducted four relatives of the deceased before leaving the scene. Sources indicate the victims belonged to local tribes of the Laja area. Police officials in Kharan believe it to be a case of target killing and have launched an investigation. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the killings.
