Pakistan steps up Balochistan crackdown as Operation Shaban claims 114 rebel lives

More than 100 rebels have been killed in Pakistan's Balochistan province over the past week as the country's security forces intensify a large-scale crackdown across the restive region, according to official figures carried by state-run Radio Pakistan and cited by Dawn.

The operation, named Operation Shaban, was launched on July 7 after a series of deadly attacks on security personnel.

Pakistani officials said a total of 114 have been killed in Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations carried out across Balochistan since July 5.

The latest offensive marks one of Pakistan's biggest recent security operations in Balochistan, with authorities deploying the army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police in coordinated aerial and ground missions across the province.

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Operation launched after deadly attacks

According to Pakistani officials, Operation Shaban was launched after an attack in the Mangi Dam area on July 7, in which 27 police personnel were killed.

The operation also follows a string of other attacks earlier this month, including an armed assault on the outskirts of Quetta on July 5, an attack on a police post in Ziarat on July 6, and an ambush on an army convoy in Bela on July 8.

In total, 38 security personnel have been killed in attacks across Balochistan in July, according to official figures.

Authorities said security forces are conducting both aerial strikes and ground operations to target armed groups operating in the province.

Government vows to continue offensive

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police after security forces killed five more rebels in separate operations.

In a statement shared by the Interior Ministry on social media platform X, Naqvi commended the security forces for what he described as effective ground and aerial operations. He also said the campaign would continue until armed groups were eliminated.

Long-running unrest in Balochistan

Balochistan has witnessed armed insurgency and political unrest for nearly two decades.

Ethnic Baloch groups have long accused Pakistan's federal government of exploiting the province's vast mineral resources while failing to address local political and economic grievances.

The latest operation reflects a significant escalation in Islamabad's security response, with extensive military deployments and the use of air power alongside ground forces.

While officials describe the campaign as necessary to restore law and order after recent attacks, rights groups and Baloch activists have repeatedly expressed concerns over the increasing militarisation of the province and the impact of prolonged security operations on local communities.

The situation continues to remain tense as security operations expand across different parts of Balochistan.