Pakistan Military Kills 33 Militants in Balochistan Border Operation, Alleges Indian Involvement

Quetta, August 8, 2025 – Pakistani security forces killed 33 militants attempting to infiltrate the country from Afghanistan in an overnight operation in Balochistan’s Zhob district, the military announced on Friday. The operation, described as a response to a “large-scale” cross-border incursion, targeted fighters labeled as “Khwarij,” a term used by Pakistani authorities for members of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The military also claimed, without providing evidence, that the militants were backed by India.

According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation took place in the Sambaza area of Zhob district, near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Acting on intelligence, Pakistani troops intercepted the militants, engaging them with “precise, bold, and skillful” fire, resulting in the deaths of all 33 infiltrators. A significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was recovered, and a follow-up search operation is underway to eliminate any remaining threats

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for their bravery, stating, “Our soldiers risked their lives to thwart this infiltration attempt and neutralize the terrorists’ sinister plans,” according to the Associated Press of Pakistan. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also praised the operation, vowing to eliminate all threats to the province’s stability. The operation comes amid heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with Pakistan frequently accusing the Afghan Taliban government of failing to curb TTP activities on its soil. Kabul has consistently denied these allegations. The Pakistani military’s claim of Indian sponsorship of the militants echoes longstanding accusations against New Delhi, though no evidence was provided to substantiate the claim. India has not responded to the latest allegations but has previously denied supporting militant groups in Pakistan. Balochistan, Pakistan’s resource-rich but volatile southwestern province, has been a hotspot for insurgent activities by separatist groups, including the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), as well as attacks by the TTP. Separatists, who demand greater autonomy or independence from Islamabad, have intensified attacks in recent months, targeting security forces, infrastructure, and symbols of national unity, such as vendors selling Pakistani flags ahead of the August 14 Independence Day holiday. In response, the Balochistan government suspended mobile internet services across the province until August 31, citing security concerns. The TTP, allied with the Afghan Taliban but operating as a distinct group, has been emboldened since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021, with many of its leaders finding sanctuary across the border. Pakistan has reported a surge in militant attacks, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security forces killed 54 TTP fighters in April in what was described as the deadliest single-day clash this year. The incident follows a pattern of escalating border tensions, with recent clashes reported between Pakistani and Afghan forces. Pakistan’s claims of foreign-backed militancy, coupled with its accusations against Afghanistan and India, highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, though the lack of concrete evidence for external sponsorship raises questions about the narrative Source: Al Jazeera, Associated Press