In brief
Pakistani security forces killed 27 militants in an intelligence‑driven operation in Karam Valley, Mastung district, Balochistan. The raid took place in two phases, with 15 militants killed in the first and 12 in the second, including a local commander; weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices were seized.
On Monday, 9 November 2026, Pakistani security forces announced that a two‑phase intelligence‑based operation in Karam Valley, Mastung district, southwestern Balochistan resulted in the deaths of 27 militants, officials said.
Sources identified the operation as having occurred in two distinct phases, with 15 militants killed in the first phase and 12 in the second, confirming the total tally of 27 casualties.
During the raid, a local militant commander was also killed along with associates linked to the insurgent group, according to the same security sources.
Security forces recovered a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices from the militants’ hideouts in Karam Valley, as reported.
The operation was described by security sources as “intelligence‑driven”, highlighting the role of covert surveillance and local informants in pinpointing militant strongholds.
Officials in Islamabad cited the success of the operation as evidence of growing pressure on insurgent activity in southwestern Balochistan.
Although Balochistan has experienced sporadic militant attacks in recent years, this raid’s scale marks one of the largest recent operations in the province.
Stakeholders in the region noted that the seizure of IEDs could reduce the threat level for local populations and security patrols.
No civilian casualties were reported, security sources emphasized, and there were no indications of external support for the militant factions involved.
The Pakistani Armed Forces, in a statement released later that day, thanked intelligence agencies for their coordination in the two‑phase operation.
During a brief post‑operation announcement, military spokesperson Major General Azyan stated that the operation was part of a broader campaign to neutralize “terrorist threats” in Balochistan.
He added that intelligence teams had identified the militants’ base in Karam Valley weeks before the raid, allowing for precise targeting.
The recovery of weapons and IEDs is expected to bolster security forces’ operational supply, officials said, while also tightening the security net around the region.
Security analysts believe that the operation may disrupt supply lines and hamper training of militant recruits in the valley, though the sources remained cautious about the long‑term impact.
Thus far, Pakistani authorities have not released further details on the identity of the local commander or the organizational affiliations of the 27 militants killed.
Local residents in Mastung district welcomed the operation, expressing relief at the decreased threat of militant activity in the area.
Human rights groups have urged authorities to conduct a transparent investigation into the raid to ensure compliance with legal procedures.
The operation underscores the continued prioritization of Balochistan by Pakistan’s security apparatus, as the region remains a focal point for counterterrorism efforts.
Follow-up operations are expected to continue in the coming months as part of an ongoing strategy to eliminate insurgent networks in southwestern provinces.
In summary, the two‑phase raid in Karam Valley, Mastung district, achieved its immediate objectives of neutralizing 27 militants, eliminating a local commander, and seizing weapons and IEDs, according to Pakistani security sources.
