Terrorist commander eliminated during IBO in Balochistan's Qila Saifullah: state media

Security forces killed a terrorist commander during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan’s Qila Saifullah, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday.

The terrorist, identified as Adil Shah alias Darvesh, belonged to Fitna al Khwarij, according to the report.

Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

“Security forces are actively carrying out operations against terrorists in Balochistan under ‘Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-3’. According to security sources, the terrorist commander had been associated with Fitna al Khwarij since Dec 2020 and had been managing the financial affairs of the militant group since 2024,” the report added.

The commander was also involved in facilitating permanent residences for “foreign terrorists” in Balochistan’s Zhob, Sherani, and Shaban, the report said, adding that the Kharji commander Adil Shah “had been involved in attacks on security forces and kidnapping for ransom since 2022”.

Nineteen first information reports were registered against the terrorist commander, and a bounty of Rs2.5 million was placed on his head, the report further stated.

“Security sources reiterated that operations against terrorists in Balochistan will continue until the elimination of the last terrorist,” it said.

Balochistan has witnessed terrorist attacks and security challenges for a long time.

On October 19, an army major was martyred, and four terrorists were killed during IBOs in Balochistan.

A day before that, security forces killed eight “India-sponsored” terrorists during IBOs conducted in the Quetta, Nushki and Khuzdar districts of Balochistan.

On Oct 14, five terrorists were killed in an IBO in Balochistan’s Washuk by security forces, while 10 terrorists were killed in a targeted IBO conducted by the Counter-Terrorism Department in Balochistan’s Barkhan district on Oct 10.

On Sept 17, three terrorists were eliminated in an IBO in Balochistan’s Awaran district’s Badrang area. Another three were killed in Mastung on Sept 14. Earlier in September, 21 terrorists were killed in separate engagements in Nokcha, Chagai, Ziarat Cross, and Pishin.

According to Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), terrorist violence increased substantially last month, with 225 attacks recorded nationwide, compared with 199 in August, representing a 13.1 per cent increase and the highest monthly total recorded in 12 years.

As per the report, terrorism related fatalities rose by 64 per cent from 158 to 259, while injuries increased by 33.7 per cent to 242.

Balochistan remained the most affected province, the report said, accounting for 131 attacks — 58.2pc of the national total.

Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir said last week that the armed forces will continue the counterterrorism campaign against Indian-sponsored terrorist groups “to the fullest”, vowing to “hit them hard wherever they are”.