QUETTA: Two suspected terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Washuk district of Balochistan, state-run broadcaster Pakistan Television (PTV) reported on Monday, citing security sources.
According to PTV, the operation was conducted in the Palantak area of Washuk as part of the ongoing security campaign known as Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.
The state broadcaster reported that the two men were allegedly involved in attacks on the Mashkhel Police Station and a Customs House.
PTV said the vehicle used by the suspects was destroyed during the operation. Security personnel also recovered a quantity of weapons and ammunition from the site, according to the report.
The identities of the individuals killed were not immediately disclosed, and there was no independent confirmation of the claims.
The reported operation comes amid continued security activity in Balochistan, where authorities have carried out intelligence-based operations against armed groups.
Last week, security forces reportedly killed 11 suspected terrorists during separate intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Authorities have increasingly used intelligence-based operations as part of efforts to disrupt militant networks and prevent attacks in areas affected by violence.
The reported operation also comes against the backdrop of a significant increase in security-related deaths in Balochistan.
According to a monthly security assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the province recorded a substantial rise in overall deaths in July compared with the previous month.
The assessment, released on July 31, reported that deaths linked to militant violence and security incidents increased from 109 in June to 372 in July, representing a 241 per cent increase.
The report said deaths among security personnel rose from six in June to 62 in July, while the number of reported militant deaths increased from 75 to 238.
Civilian deaths also increased during the period, rising from 28 in June to 54 in July, according to the assessment. In addition, 18 members of peace committees were reported killed in the province.
The latest operation highlights the continuing security challenges facing parts of Balochistan, particularly areas where authorities have reported militant activity.
While security agencies say intelligence-based operations are aimed at targeting armed groups and preventing further attacks, details of individual operations are often released through official or state-affiliated sources.
Independent verification of casualty figures and the identities or affiliations of those killed can be difficult immediately after such operations.
Further details about the Washuk operation, including the identities of the suspects and any additional recoveries, were not immediately available.
