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.

Surge in terrorism

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist activity, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, since 2021, when the Afghan Taliban returned to power.

According to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the two provinces remained the country’s main hotspots for violence during the second quarter of 2026, with KP emerging as the worst-affected region.

KP and Balochistan together accounted for nearly 96% of all violence-related fatalities recorded during the quarter, the report said. Of the total deaths, more than 61% (475) were reported in KP, while Balochistan accounted for 34% (265).

KP also recorded the highest number of violent incidents, with 151 cases, or 57% of the nationwide total. Balochistan followed with 94 incidents, accounting for 35%, underscoring the concentration of militant activity in the two provinces.