Army officer among five soldiers martyred, 7 terrorists killed in Balochistan operation

• Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps conduct sanitisation op in Nosham.
• Security forces recover weapons, ammunition from militants.
• Sanitisation op continues against remaining militants in area: ISPR.

Security forces have neutralised seven India-sponsored militants while five security personnel, including an army major, were martyred during a sanitisation operation in Balochistan's Barkhan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.

The military's media wing said Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps Balochistan personnel commenced a sanitisation operation in Barkhan's Nosham area on the morning of May 13 to eliminate terrorists of India-backed Fitna al-Hindustan.

During the operation, a group of terrorists was located and engaged by troops, it said, adding that seven terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire.

"Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the killed terrorists."

However, during intense fire exchange, five brave sons of soil, including a field officer, met the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom, the military's media wing said.

The martyred personnel were identified as Major Tauseef Ahmed Bhatti, 31, a resident of Pakpattan district, Naik Fida Hussain, 36, from Sukkur district, Sepoy Zakir Hussain, 32, from Skardu district, Sepoy Suhail Ahmed, 21, from Khanewal district, and Sepoy Muhammad Ayaz, 24, from Rahim Yar Khan district.

Security forces continue a sanitisation operation to eliminate any other India-sponsored terrorist in the area, the statement read.

The military vowed that the relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision "Azm e Istehkam" — as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan — by security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in cross-border terrorist incidents, particularly in the bordering provinces of KP and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban grabbed power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent its soil from being used by terrorist organisations to carry out attacks inside its territory.

However, the Afghan Taliban regime refused to act against terror groups involved in countless attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians.

Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in February this year, months after the two countries agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025, following clashes triggered by unprovoked gunfire by the Afghan Taliban regime at multiple border points.

Despite many rounds of talks, both countries have so far failed to reach an agreement due to the Afghan Taliban regime's reluctance to take action against terrorist outfits operating from its soil.

President, PM pay tribute to martyrs

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised security forces over the Barkhan operation, saying security forces foiled the designs of militants targeting the country’s peace and stability.

In separate statements, the leaders paid homage to Major Tausif Ahmed Bhatti, Naik Fida Hussain, Sepoy Zakir Hussain, Sepoy Sohail Ahmed and Sepoy Muhammad Ayaz, who were martyred during the operation.

President Zardari commended the bravery and professionalism shown by the security forces, saying the nation would always remember the sacrifices made by its martyrs and ghazis.

He said the martyred soldiers had rendered immense sacrifices for the country’s peace, security and defence, and vowed that the designs of “Fitna al-Hindustan” and other anti-state elements would be defeated at all costs.

PM Shehbaz also lauded the officers and personnel involved in the operation, saying the country’s “great sons of the soil” had set a lasting example of loyalty and sacrifice while defending the homeland against terrorism.

The prime minister said the nation stood shoulder to shoulder with its armed forces in the collective resolve to safeguard the country. He also prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ heavenly ranks and expressed solidarity with their bereaved families.

The interior minister said Major Tausif Ahmed and the other soldiers fought bravely and eliminated seven terrorists during the operation.

He said the security personnel had thwarted the “malicious intentions of Indian-backed terrorists”, adding that every drop of the martyrs’ blood was a guarantee of the nation’s security.

Naqvi also expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and described the martyrs as “the crown on the nation’s head”.