Pakistan forces kill five terrorists, rescue 23 abductees in Balochistan

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The forces rescued 23 abductees from the terrorists’ hideout, where six trucks, three buses and two cars were recovered along with a large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives. File | Photo Credit: AFP

Pakistan security forces have killed five terrorists and rescued 23 abducted people during a security operation in the country’s troubled Balochistan province, authorities said on Sunday (September 20, 2026).

The incident occurred on the night between Friday (September 18, 2026) and Saturday (September 19, 2026), when the terrorists tried to disrupt the movement of people along the Chaman-Karachi section of the N-25 highway near Kalat.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said the terrorists had set up a check post to abduct people for ransom, extort money and snatch vehicles. The security forces responded immediately and, after an intense exchange of fire, killed five terrorists, it said.

The forces also rescued 23 abductees from the terrorists’ hideout, where six trucks, three buses and two cars were recovered along with a large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives.

The ISPR said clearance operations were continuing in the surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining terrorists and ensure the safety of the local population and key highways. It said the campaign against terrorism would continue with full resolve, and the forces were committed to eliminating what it described as foreign-sponsored and foreign-supported terrorism from the country.

Balochistan has been facing security challenges and terrorism, prompting the security forces to intensify counter-terrorism operations. The number of terrorist attacks in the province increased by 7% to 89 in August from 83 in July, according to a monthly assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

The ISPR and the state media have reported several operations in the province in recent weeks.

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