Balochistan – Pakistan’s security forces clashed with militants of Fitna tul Hindustan, described as an Indian-sponsored terrorist group, in Balochistan on Thursday, leaving six militants dead. The attack, linked to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), targeted a paramilitary convoy in Kech through a vehicle-borne suicide strike.

According to initial reports, security forces responded swiftly, neutralising six attackers. One soldier lost his life in the exchange, while twelve others were critically injured. Clearance operations were ongoing at the time of reporting.

The incident follows an earlier intelligence-based operation in Khuzdar on September 17, where security forces killed four militants of the same network. “During the conduct of operation, own forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, and after an intense fire exchange, four Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. Recovered items included weapons, ammunition, and explosives.

BLA Network Hit in Afghanistan

In a parallel development, Captain Rehman Gul, known by his nom de guerre Ustad Mureed and serving as second-in-command of the BLA’s Majeed Brigade under Bashir Zeb, was killed in Helmand province on Wednesday night. Gul was regarded as the operational mastermind behind the Jaffar Express bombing and multiple attacks targeting Chinese nationals in Pakistan. 

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The killing adds to a string of senior BLA militants eliminated in Afghanistan over the years, including Balach Marri (2007), Aslam Baloch alias Achu (2018), Laghari Bugti (2019), Shah Wali Bugti (2019), Abdul Nabi Bangulzai alias Chota Mir (2021), Razak Engineer (2022), and Mushtaq Kohi (2025).

Cross-Border Terror Threat

The killings underscored Pakistan’s long-standing security concerns. Officials have repeatedly warned that the presence of BLA and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) networks in Afghanistan poses a grave cross-border threat. The 36th UN Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team report noted that “TTP provided training to terrorists in Balochistan,” adding that the groups shared camps in Walikot and Shorabak with Al Qaeda providing ideological and weapons training.

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According to Pakistani officials, more than 60 militant camps in Afghanistan actively support cross-border terrorism, reinforcing Islamabad’s calls for urgent action against safe havens.