Pakistan’s security forces have killed eight more terrorists during Operation Shaban, bringing the total number of militants killed in the ongoing operation to 79, according to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, citing security sources.

The operation is being carried out jointly by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police after the July 7 terrorist attack in the Mangi Dam area, where 27 police personnel were killed. Security forces have continued coordinated aerial and ground operations to target militant hideouts across the province.

According to security sources, security forces have killed a total of 117 terrorists in Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations conducted across Balochistan since July 5.

In a separate statement shared on the Interior Ministry’s official X account, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the Pakistan Army, Balochistan Frontier Corps and police for eliminating five more terrorists during recent operations. He commended the professionalism and operational capability demonstrated by the security forces in carrying out coordinated ground and aerial missions.

Naqvi said the campaign against what the government describes as “Fitna-al-Hindustan” terrorists would continue until militant networks are completely dismantled. The government uses the term to describe militant groups operating in Balochistan that it alleges receive support from India to carry out attacks inside Pakistan.

The interior minister said authorities were bringing those responsible for disrupting peace in Balochistan to justice. He added that the nation remained united in supporting the country’s security forces in their fight against terrorism.

He also said the elimination of more than 100 terrorists in Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations reflected the preparedness, professionalism and operational readiness of Pakistan’s security forces.

Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s civil and military leadership had jointly decided to eliminate terrorism following a series of major attacks in Balochistan.

Speaking during a meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee on the National Action Plan in Quetta, attended by Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, the prime minister said both civilian and military leadership had reached a unified decision to collectively defeat terrorism.

The meeting followed a briefing by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who said that at least 42 people, including four civilians, 27 police personnel and 11 security personnel, had lost their lives in terrorist attacks and subsequent security operations in Balochistan since July 5.