Security forces have killed three terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Awaran district, according to security sources. The operation was carried out in the Badrang area of Awaran as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the province.
Officials said a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the terrorists following the operation. The action was conducted under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3, which includes a series of intelligence-led operations against militant groups.
The latest operation is another step in the security forces’ ongoing efforts to deal with militant activity in Balochistan. The province has faced repeated security challenges in recent years, with militant groups carrying out attacks in different districts.
According to reports, the operation was based on intelligence about the presence and movement of terrorists in the Badrang area. Security personnel acted on the information and carried out the operation. Three terrorists were killed during the action.
State media and other Pakistani news outlets reported the development on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The reports cited security sources for details about the operation and the recovery of weapons and ammunition.
Operation Conducted in Badrang Area
Badrang is located in Awaran district, a large and remote area of Balochistan. Security forces have carried out intelligence-based operations in different parts of the province in recent months as part of efforts to stop militant groups from establishing or maintaining their networks.
In the latest operation, security personnel targeted terrorists in the Badrang area after receiving intelligence about their presence.
Security sources said three terrorists were killed during the operation. The sources also said that weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants.
The exact number and type of weapons recovered were not immediately disclosed. However, officials described the quantity as significant.
The operation was carried out under Radd-ul-Fitna 3, a wider counterterrorism campaign. Pakistani authorities say these operations are aimed at targeting militant networks and preventing attacks against civilians, security personnel and important installations.
The authorities have not released detailed information about the identities of the three terrorists killed in the Awaran operation.
Weapons and Ammunition Recovered
One of the important developments reported after the operation was the recovery of weapons and ammunition.
Security forces frequently use intelligence-based operations to locate militant hideouts, movement routes and other areas believed to be used by armed groups. Such operations are planned using information gathered through different intelligence sources.
In this case, security sources said the operation resulted in the recovery of a large quantity of weapons and ammunition from the killed terrorists.
The recovery is significant for security agencies because weapons and ammunition can provide information about the activities and capabilities of militant groups operating in the area.
Officials did not provide a complete list of the recovered material. Further details may be released later if security agencies share more information about the operation.
The forces also continue to conduct searches and security checks in different areas after such operations to make sure that no other militants remain nearby.
Part of Wider Counterterrorism Operations
The Awaran operation is not an isolated action. Security forces have been conducting intelligence-based operations across Balochistan as part of a broader counterterrorism campaign.
According to security sources, the latest operation was conducted under Radd-ul-Fitna 3. The campaign involves targeted operations against militant groups that authorities say are involved in terrorist activities in the country.
Security forces have repeatedly said that intelligence-based operations allow them to target militants before they can carry out attacks.
Instead of waiting for an attack to take place, security agencies use intelligence to identify suspected militants, their locations and their movements. Operations are then conducted in areas where terrorist activity is suspected.
The authorities say this approach is being used in different parts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, two provinces that have faced a large share of Pakistan’s militant violence.
Recent Operation in Mastung
The development in Awaran came only days after another operation in Balochistan.
On September 14, security forces killed at least three terrorists in Mastung district, including a militant commander identified by security sources as Naqeeb.
According to reports, security forces targeted the militants’ vehicle using a quadcopter during the operation. The vehicle was destroyed and the three terrorists inside were killed, according to security sources.
The Mastung operation and the latest action in Awaran show that security agencies are continuing to target militant networks in different parts of Balochistan.
The authorities have not said whether the two operations were directly connected. However, both actions were reported as part of the ongoing campaign against militant groups in the province.
Balochistan Remains a Major Security Challenge
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by area and has a long history of security challenges.
The province has experienced attacks on security personnel, civilians and government installations. Different militant groups have operated in parts of Balochistan, creating security concerns for residents and authorities.
The situation has also affected development and economic activity in some areas.
Balochistan is important for Pakistan because of its natural resources, long coastline and major infrastructure projects. The province is also home to Gwadar and other locations that have strategic and economic importance.
For this reason, security agencies have repeatedly focused on preventing militant attacks and protecting important areas.
The latest operation in Awaran comes at a time when authorities are increasing intelligence-led action against militant groups.
Security Forces Say Operations Will Continue
Following the operation, security officials reiterated their commitment to continuing counterterrorism activities in Balochistan.
According to state media, security forces have said that operations will continue until terrorist threats in the province are dealt with.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also praised the security forces following the operation. He described the action as successful and appreciated the personnel involved in the operation.
The government has repeatedly stated that restoring peace in Balochistan remains a major priority.
Security officials say intelligence-based operations are being used to target militants while reducing the risk of wider attacks.
However, the continued presence of militant groups means that security agencies face a long-term challenge. Even after successful operations, authorities have to remain alert because militant networks can attempt to reorganise or carry out attacks in other areas.
Violence Remains Concentrated in KP and Balochistan
The latest operation also comes against the background of increasing militant violence in Pakistan.
A report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan remained the main hotspots for violence during the second quarter of 2026.
According to the report, the two provinces together accounted for nearly 96% of violence-related deaths recorded in Pakistan during that period. KP recorded 475 deaths, representing more than 61% of the total, while Balochistan recorded 265 deaths, or around 34%.
The report also recorded a high number of violent incidents in both provinces.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 151 violent incidents during the quarter, while Balochistan recorded 94. These figures show the scale of the security challenge facing the two provinces.
The situation has increased pressure on security agencies to improve intelligence gathering, protect vulnerable areas and prevent attacks before they happen.
Why Intelligence-Based Operations Matter
Intelligence-based operations have become an important part of Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy.
These operations depend on information collected about suspected militants and their activities. Once security agencies receive information about a possible militant presence, they can plan an operation instead of conducting random searches.
The aim is to identify and target specific individuals or groups.
Such operations can also lead to the recovery of weapons, ammunition and other material that may help security agencies understand militant networks.
The Awaran operation is an example of this approach. Security forces received information about terrorists in the Badrang area, conducted an operation and killed three militants, according to security sources.
The recovery of weapons and ammunition was another reported outcome of the action.
Continued Pressure on Militant Networks
The latest operation adds to a series of actions carried out against militants in Balochistan.
Earlier this month, security forces also reported the killing of 11 terrorists in separate intelligence-based operations in Kharan and Washuk districts. Other operations have been reported in Mastung, Mach, Khuzdar and Panjgur.
These operations show that security forces are conducting activities across several districts rather than focusing on one specific area.
Authorities say the purpose is to disrupt militant networks, prevent planned attacks and recover weapons and explosives.
At the same time, the continuing attacks and security operations indicate that militant violence remains a serious issue in the province.
Focus on Restoring Peace
For people living in Balochistan, security remains an important concern. Continued violence can affect daily life, business activity, travel and development projects.
The government and security agencies have therefore placed strong emphasis on improving security across the province.
Officials say that successful intelligence-based operations can weaken militant networks and prevent future attacks. They also maintain that operations will continue against groups involved in violence.
The latest operation in Awaran is part of these wider efforts.
Three Terrorists Killed in Awaran
The killing of three terrorists in Badrang, Awaran, marks another counterterrorism operation in Balochistan.
Security sources said the operation was conducted after receiving intelligence about terrorist activity in the area. Three militants were killed, while a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered.
The operation was carried out under Radd-ul-Fitna 3, according to official reports.
The action follows several other security operations in Balochistan in recent weeks, including the killing of militants in Mastung and other districts.
While the latest operation has resulted in the deaths of three terrorists and the recovery of weapons, authorities continue to face the wider challenge of militant violence in the province.
Security forces have said they will continue intelligence-based operations to target militant networks and prevent attacks.
For now, the Awaran operation adds to the growing list of security actions being carried out across Balochistan as authorities seek to improve security and maintain peace in the province.
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