ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s security forces have killed a key terrorist commander during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in northwestern Balochistan’s Qila Saifullah district, security sources said on Sunday.
The terrorist was identified as Adil Shah, alias Darvesh, who had been affiliated with the Fitna al-Khawarij terrorist group since December 2020, according to the sources.
They said Adil had been overseeing the group’s financial affairs since 2024 and had facilitated accommodation for non-local terrorists in the Zhob, Sherani and Shaban areas.
The sources added that Adil was involved in attacks on security forces and kidnappings for ransom during 2022 and 2023.
As many as 19 cases had been registered against him in anti-terrorism courts, while a bounty of Rs2.5 million had been announced for information leading to his capture, they said.
The operation was part of the security forces’ ongoing operations in Balochistan under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3, according to the sources.
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in terrorist attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021.
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The country recorded its highest monthly number of terrorist attacks in 12 years in September 2026. Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent its territory from being used by terrorist organisations to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
Pakistan maintains that the Afghan Taliban authorities have 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 presence of terrorist groups on Afghan soil remaining a major point of contention between the two countries.
