Forces kill five terrorists, rescue 23 hostages in Kalat highway operation: ISPR
Military says terrorists had established a checkpoint to abduct people, extort money and seize vehicles
Published September 20, 2026
- At least 23 hostages were safely rescued from terrorists' hideout.
- Forces recovered six trucks, three buses, two cars from site.
- Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also seized.
QUETTA: Security forces have foiled an attempt by terrorists to disrupt public movement on the N-25 highway near Kalat, killing five militants and safely recovering 23 hostages, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
According to the military's media wing, the terrorists had established a checkpoint on the highway to abduct people, extort money and seize vehicles.
Security forces responded promptly and killed five terrorists during the operation, while a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from the militants' hideout.
Six trucks, three buses and two cars were recovered from the site, according to the ISPR.
The operation comes amid intensified security operations against militants across Balochistan under Operation Raddul Fitna 3.
On Saturday, security sources said security forces had killed 11 India-backed terrorists in separate operations in Panjgur and Chagai districts.
Five terrorists were killed in an operation in the Gowargo area of Panjgur, while six were eliminated during operations in the Ameenabad and Siah Chang areas of Chagai, according to the sources.
Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the militants.
Balochistan has remained a major hotspot of militant violence, with security forces conducting repeated intelligence-based operations across the province.
Separately, security sources reported that 10 labourers were injured when terrorists targeted a passenger vehicle with an improvised explosive device on College Road in Kharan.
Security forces reached the site and shifted the injured to hospital.
The latest operations follow a series of counter-terrorism actions in the province, including a September 4 operation in which ISPR said 48 terrorists were killed across Balochistan over 72 hours.
