Pakistani PM Praises Security Forces Over Balochistan Operation Said to Have Killed 33 Militants

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the country's security forces for what he described as successful operations against militant groups in Balochistan, according to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

Sharif said security forces had killed 33 fighters, whom he referred to as belonging to groups he described as Indian-sponsored, during an operation named Shaban that has been underway since September 21, the report said. The Pakistani government has previously used similar language linking certain militant activity in Balochistan to alleged Indian backing, a characterization that has not been independently verified in the report and that India has in the past disputed.

Limited independent detail

APP's report, issued through a government-linked outlet, did not provide independent verification of the operation's outcome, details on the specific locations of the strikes, or information about casualties among security forces, if any.

Balochistan has experienced a long-running separatist and militant insurgency, and Pakistani officials have periodically announced operations against armed groups operating in the province. The report does not include comment from any of the groups named or from independent observers.

No further detail on the operation's scope or duration going forward was included in the available report.