In a dramatic escalation of ongoing counterterrorism operations, Pakistani security forces killed seven militants in an intelligence-based raid in Balochistan’s remote Sherani district on October 1, 2025. The operation, which unfolded after reports of Indian-sponsored terrorist activity in the area, was described by the military as a decisive blow against the network it calls "Fitna al Khawarij"—a term used by officials for militants linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and separatist groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, the raid was launched after intelligence indicated the presence of militants in Sherani district. Security forces engaged the group’s hideout in a fierce firefight that ended with all seven suspected insurgents dead. "Seven Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell," the ISPR stated, using language that underscored the state’s attribution of the violence to foreign actors. Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered at the scene, suggesting the group’s involvement in recent attacks across the region.
The timing of the Sherani operation was notable. Just one day earlier, on September 30, a powerful car bomb exploded outside Pakistan’s paramilitary headquarters in Quetta—the capital of Balochistan—killing at least 10 people and wounding 30 more, as reported by the Associated Press. While authorities did not directly link the Sherani raid to the Quetta bombing, the proximity of the two events highlights the volatile security situation gripping Balochistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a statement lauding the security forces for their "professional skill and timely action." He said, "Those who had targeted innocent civilians and caused damage to their lives and property were given a decisive defeat." Sharif reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism, declaring that "elements seeking to undermine Pakistan’s sovereignty will never be allowed to succeed." According to The Express Tribune, Sharif’s remarks also included a warning to neighboring Afghanistan, urging Kabul not to allow its territory to be used for launching militant attacks against Pakistan. He accused Indian intelligence agencies of supporting such groups operating from Afghan soil, vowing that Islamabad would deliver a "befitting response" to any cross-border aggression.
The ISPR echoed the prime minister’s tough stance, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the operation. A "sanitisation operation is currently underway to clear the area of any remaining threats," the military said, reaffirming the resolve of Pakistan’s armed forces to "wipe out the menace of India-sponsored terrorism and bring its perpetrators to justice." The military’s public statements have repeatedly linked the violence in Balochistan to Indian influence, though, as noted by the Associated Press, Pakistani authorities have not provided direct evidence to support these claims. India has consistently denied involvement in Balochistan’s insurgency or support for the TTP.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populous province, has long been a flashpoint for violence and separatist unrest. For years, groups like the BLA and the TTP have waged a low-level insurgency, demanding greater autonomy or outright independence from Islamabad. The region’s strategic location, bordering both Afghanistan and Iran, as well as its rich mineral resources, have made it a focal point for both internal and external security concerns. Attacks on security forces, infrastructure, and civilians have become distressingly common, with the violence often spilling over into neighboring provinces.
The Sherani operation was not an isolated event. On September 27, just days before the latest raid, security forces killed 17 militants associated with Fitna al Khawarij in Lakki Marwat district. That operation, according to ISPR statements cited by The Express Tribune, was also launched after intelligence indicated imminent threats, and was followed by a thorough sweep of the area to root out any remaining insurgents. Weeks earlier, in Mastung, Balochistan, troops eliminated four militants linked to a group the military calls Fitna al Hindustan, recovering a cache of arms and explosives from their hideout.
These successive operations underscore a broader campaign by Pakistani security forces to disrupt militant networks across the country. The military has ramped up intelligence-based operations not only in Balochistan but also in other "flashpoint locations," particularly in the northwest bordering Afghanistan. The Associated Press reported that on October 2, a roadside bomb targeted a police vehicle in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, wounding eight people, including four officers. The attack in Peshawar serves as a stark reminder that the threat of militancy is not confined to Balochistan alone.
The government’s narrative has been unequivocal in attributing much of the violence to foreign interference, especially from India. The military’s statements consistently refer to the slain militants as "Indian-sponsored terrorists," and the term "Fitna al Khawarij" is used to group together a range of outlawed organizations, including the BLA and the TTP. Yet, as international observers and the Associated Press point out, concrete evidence of direct Indian involvement has not been made public, and New Delhi has rejected the allegations as baseless.
For the people of Balochistan, these developments are both a source of anxiety and, for some, a sign of hope that the state is taking decisive action against those responsible for years of violence. The region’s separatist groups, such as the BLA, have long demanded independence and have targeted both government installations and civilians in their campaign. The military’s aggressive response, while welcomed by some, has also drawn criticism from human rights organizations concerned about civilian casualties and the potential for heavy-handed tactics to further alienate the local population.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks following the Sherani operation sought to reassure the public and signal to international observers that Pakistan remains committed to upholding its sovereignty and maintaining stability in the region. "The government and armed forces are determined to root out the scourge of terrorism completely," he stated, adding that "masterminds and facilitators of attacks in Pakistan were operating from Afghan soil with Indian backing." His comments reflect the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, with Afghanistan’s role as both a neighbor and a potential haven for militants complicating efforts to secure Pakistan’s borders.
As the sanitisation operation continues in Sherani, and as security forces maintain a heightened presence across Balochistan and the northwest, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the government’s strategy can deliver lasting peace. The cycle of violence, accusations, and cross-border tensions shows little sign of abating, but for now, officials in Islamabad are keen to project an image of resolve and capability in the face of persistent threats.
In a province long troubled by insurgency and suspicion, the latest operation in Sherani stands as both a tactical victory for the military and a reminder of the enduring challenges Pakistan faces in its fight against militancy.
