9 suspected terrorists killed, four CTD officials martyred in Balochistan gunbattle

Nine suspected terrorists were eliminated, and four Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials were martyred during a fierce gun battle on the outskirts of Quetta on Saturday, officials confirmed. The high-stakes intelligence-based operation was carried out by the CTD and allied security forces in the suburban localities of Kuchlak and Nohsar. Commenting on the development, Balochistan Chief Minister’s Assistant for Political and Media Affairs Shahid Rind stated that the successful raid stood as a clear demonstration of the professional capabilities and readiness of the region's law enforcement agencies. He extended high praise to the operational teams for their precise execution of the counter-terrorism raid, noting that the entire nation remained deeply indebted to the security forces for their relentless sacrifices in purging the country of militancy. Read: Five terrorists killed in Jhal Magsi The operation, however, saw intense resistance from the alleged terrorists, leading to a heavy exchange of fire that claimed the lives of four security officials. Expressing grief over the loss, Rind paid tribute to the fallen personnel, emphasising that they laid down their lives to protect public peace and that their sacrifices would never be forgotten. Several other officials received injuries during the shootout and are currently receiving specialised medical care. The provincial government directed health authorities to ensure that the wounded personnel were provided with the best possible medical facilities for a swift recovery. Reaffirming the government's stance against violent extremism, the spokesperson declared that disruptive elements would not be permitted to derail peace in Balochistan. He asserted that the state would deploy its full authority to counter hostile actors, adding that across-the-board operations would continue unabated until the threat of terrorism was entirely wiped out. Terrorism is a growing problem for Pakistan, with the number of attacks rising every year since 2022, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), a global monitoring organisation. Data from ACLED shows attacks in Pakistan rose nearly fourfold to 2,425 in 2025 from 658 in 2022 and over the same period, attacks by the banned militant Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan increased more than sevenfold to 838 from 118. Although Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has borne the brunt of terrorism, Balochistan has also remained a major target of Indian proxies, which often target civilians and military installations in the province. Also Read: Security forces kill TTP commander in Balochistan's Pishin In one such attack on the last day of last year, terrorists targeted innocent civilians in Gwadar and Kharan districts, where 18 people, including women, children, the elderly and labourers, were martyred. Security forces and law enforcement agencies immediately responded and successfully thwarted the “evil designs” of the terrorists, killing 92 militants, while 15 security personnel were also martyred during the operation.

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