ZIARAT – A deadly militant ambush at Ziarat Cross claimed the lives of eight brave security personnel, while eleven terrorists were reportedly eliminated in a fierce retaliatory operation.
The attack unfolded when a squad accompanying Assistant Commissioner of Harnai, travelling under the protection of Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, came under a sudden ambush by militants identified in the initial report as belonging to the FAK and FAH groups.
🚨زیارت میں ایف سی قافلے پر حملے کی اطلاعات 15 فوجیوں کی ہلاک اور 7 فوجیوں کے لاپتہ ہونے کی اطلاعات۔۔۔ pic.twitter.com/k30Jl2RXE6
— Hidayat ur Rehman bake (@Hidayat__r) September 3, 2026
The assault led to an intense exchange of fire as security forces swiftly responded to the attack, engaging the militants and preventing them from carrying out their assault unchecked.
As per reports, 11 terrorists were killed during the confrontation. However, the security forces also suffered a heavy loss, with eight personnel laying down their lives in defence of the motherland.
After the deadly clash, reinforcements rushed to the area as security forces launched a comprehensive sanitisation operation. The operation is aimed at clearing the surrounding area and ensuring that no remaining militants or threats are present.
Balochistan remained major security hotspot in Pakistan during 2026, witnessing repeated militant attacks, ambushes and sabotage attempts alongside an intensified counter-terrorism campaign by the country’s security and law-enforcement agencies.
The security situation took a sharp turn at the beginning of the year when coordinated attacks were reported at multiple locations across the province. On January 31, militants launched attacks at more than 10 sites, targeting security installations, police facilities, financial institutions, transport routes and other infrastructure.
The violence resulted in casualties among civilians and security personnel. Authorities subsequently launched a large-scale counter-operation, with Pakistani officials reporting that 216 militants were killed during the operation, while 22 security personnel also lost their lives.
The province witnessed another deadly escalation in July. According to figures presented by the military, a series of attacks between July 4 and 8 claimed the lives of 42 civilians and security personnel, while 54 militants were killed during the attacks and subsequent security operations.
Several areas came under attack during that period, including Hanna Urak and Ziarat. A particularly serious incident involved an attack on an Army convoy travelling along the N-25 highway, in which 11 soldiers were reported killed.
Security forces responded by expanding operations in areas including Ziarat, Kharan and Dalbandin, carrying out searches, area-clearance activities and intelligence-led raids aimed at locating militant networks and preventing further attacks.
The scale of the security response shows intensity of the situation in the mineral rich region. During July briefing, DG ISPR said security forces had carried out 31,080 operations in Balochistan during 2026 up to that point. The same briefing reported 1,148 terrorist attacks in the province during the period.
Security Forces Kill 21 Terrorists in Chagai, Pishin Operations: ISPR
