AWARAN – Pakistani security forces eliminated nine Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants in a targeted intelligence-based operation involving an armed quadcopter in Balochistan’s Awaran district.
The operation, conducted under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3, targeted a suspected militant hideout following intelligence reports about the presence of armed elements in the area. According to details shared about the operation, security forces deployed an armed quadcopter to carry out a precision strike on the identified location, reportedly eliminating nine BLA militants.
The use of armed quadcopter shows security forces’ reliance on advanced surveillance and precision-strike capabilities to target militant positions. The intelligence-led action was aimed at dismantling suspected terrorist hideouts and disrupting the operational activities of militants in the region. The strike comes amid Pakistan’s sterong pledge to crush terrorist networks, prevent militant activities and strengthen security.
Balochistan faces an expanding & complex hybrid war
Balochistan witnessed intensified Counterterrorism Operations amid wave of Militant Attacks in 2026 targeting hardcore Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
The year started with coordinated attacks across Quetta, Nushki, Mastung, Gwadar and other districts in late January. Security forces responded with Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 1, reporting the killing of 216 militants by February 5.
The attacks claimed lives of 36 civilians and 22 security personnel, according to military figures. By July 31, military officials reported conducting 31,080 security operations in Balochistan, while recording 1,148 terrorist attacks. Counterterrorism efforts intensified in August under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3, with intelligence-based operations targeting militant hideouts across Washuk, Mastung, Kalat, Quetta, Kharan, Khuzdar and other districts.
Major operations continued through September and October, resulting in dozens of reported militant deaths and the recovery of substantial quantities of explosives and weapons. Security forces reported killing 17 militants in Kachhi and Kharan. Another reported armed-quadcopter strike in Awaran allegedly killed nine BLA militants, although this incident remains independently unverified.
