On August 12, 2024, Panjgur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zakir Baloch was tragically shot dead on the National Highway near the Khada-Kucha area in Balochistan’s Mastung district. The attack occurred while Baloch was traveling from Panjgur to Quetta with District Chairman Malik Jan and his friend Ahmed Jan. Armed assailants opened fire on their vehicle near the Kand Umrani area, resulting in severe injuries to all three. Despite rescue efforts, DC Zakir Baloch succumbed to his injuries during initial treatment, while the other two were referred to Quetta Civil Hospital’s trauma center for further care.
In response to this heinous act, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) between August 18 and 19, targeting members of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) responsible for the attack. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that three BLA terrorists were eliminated during the operation, effectively avenging the killing of Zakir Baloch and bringing the perpetrators to justice. The operation was marked by an intense exchange of fire, during which the terrorists were neutralized.
The ISPR highlighted that the militants were involved in numerous terrorist activities in the region, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by such groups to the peace, stability, and progress of Balochistan. The military’s media wing reaffirmed its commitment to combating terrorism and thwarting any attempts to destabilize the region.
This operation took place against the backdrop of increased terrorist activity in Pakistan, particularly in provinces bordering Afghanistan, such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorism, with militants frequently attempting to infiltrate the country.
Just a day before the IBO in Balochistan, three Pakistani soldiers were martyred in a gun battle with terrorists attempting to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan near Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district. In the same shootout, five militants associated with the group Fitna al Khwarij were neutralized.
According to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the second quarter of 2024 saw 380 violence-related fatalities and 220 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws across Pakistan. These casualties resulted from 240 incidents involving terror attacks and counter-terrorism operations, highlighting the ongoing security challenges the country faces.
