Security forces in Pakistan's Balochistan province neutralized 16 militants across Mastung, Turbat, and Quetta following a rise in regional unrest. Separately, unidentified gunmen killed two police officers guarding a polio vaccination team in Nushki. These incidents highlight the persistent security challenges and volatility currently affecting the region.
Security operations across Balochistan intensified on Wednesday, as law enforcement agencies engaged with militant groups in several districts. In Mastung, authorities reported that nine suspected militants were killed following an attempted raid on a security outpost in the Kanak Valley. During this operation, security forces recovered a significant amount of weaponry and ammunition, though one officer was injured in the exchange.
Further south, in the Turbat district, an intelligence-led operation in the Jausak area resulted in the deaths of two more suspected militants. Meanwhile, near the provincial capital of Quetta, police successfully repelled an early morning assault on the Aghbarg police station. According to reports, five militants associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed when officers returned fire. The TTP has remained active in the region since the collapse of its ceasefire with the Pakistani government in 2022.
In a separate development, violence directly impacted public health initiatives in the Nushki district. Unidentified gunmen targeted a security detail protecting a polio vaccination team, resulting in the deaths of two police officers. While the health workers involved in the campaign were not injured, the attack demonstrates the severe security risks that often hinder essential public health programs in the province. The nationwide vaccination drive, which aims to immunize over 31 million children, continues despite these ongoing security hurdles. Regional authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to the eradication of the poliovirus, which remains a significant health priority.