Security forces killed a key militant commander during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan's Qila Saifullah district, security sources said on Sunday. The killed terrorist was identified as Adil Shah, alias Darvesh, who had been affiliated with the Fitna al-Khawarij terrorist group since December 2020, according to security sources.
Security sources said that Shah had been overseeing the terrorist outfit's financial affairs since 2024, adding that he also facilitated accommodation for non-local militants in Zhob, Sherani, and Shaban districts. The militant commander was involved in attacks on security forces and kidnapping for ransom during 2022 and 2023, the sources added.
The sources further stated that 19 cases had been registered against the militant commander in anti-terrorism courts, and a bounty of Rs2.5 million had been announced for information leading to his capture. The operation was part of the security forces' ongoing efforts in Balochistan under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3.
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in cross-border terrorist incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021. Pakistan recorded its highest monthly number of militant attacks in 12 years during September 2026.
Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent its territory from being used by militant organisations to carry out attacks inside Pakistan. Pakistan maintains that the Afghan Taliban regime has failed to take effective action against groups responsible for attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians.
Despite multiple rounds of talks, Islamabad and Kabul have yet to resolve their differences, with the issue of militant groups operating from Afghan soil remaining a major point of contention. The security establishment remains committed to eliminating these elements to ensure peace in the region.
The successful operation in Qila Saifullah is seen as a significant blow to the operational capabilities of the banned outfit in the province. Local authorities have been directed to maintain high vigilance in the surrounding areas to prevent any retaliatory activities.
The government continues to prioritize the security of its citizens and the stability of the border regions. Intelligence agencies are currently analyzing the data recovered from the site of the operation to track down other facilitators associated with the network.
This intelligence-led approach is expected to yield further results in the coming weeks. The incident underscores the persistent security challenges faced by Pakistan, necessitating a comprehensive and sustained response from all state institutions to counter the threat of terrorism effectively.