QUETTA: Eighteen militants affiliated with Fitna al-Hindustan were killed in separate incidents in Balochistan’s Sorab district after an explosives-laden vehicle detonated prematurely, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
According to the military’s media wing, militants were preparing an explosives-laden vehicle on the morning of August 12, 2026, when it detonated prematurely, killing eight militants and injuring several others.
The explosion also triggered other explosives reportedly stored at the site, resulting in the deaths of three civilians in the vicinity, ISPR said.
Security forces and Balochistan Police reached the scene shortly after the incident and launched a joint clearance operation to track down the militants and their facilitators.
During the operation, security forces detected the movement of militants attempting to flee the area and carried out an operation that resulted in the deaths of another 10 militants.
With the latest casualties, the total number of militants killed in the incidents has risen to 18, according to ISPR.
The military said two Pakistan Army soldiers were also injured during an intense exchange of fire with the militants.
Clearance and sanitisation operations are continuing in the area to locate any remaining militants, ISPR said.
The military added that security forces and law-enforcement agencies will continue counterterrorism operations under the National Action Plan and the federal Apex Committee’s approved vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam.”
ISPR said operations would continue until the threat of terrorism supported by foreign elements is eliminated.
