Major, four soldiers martyred in Barkhan operation in Baluchitan: ISPR

Major Tauseef Ahmed Bhatti and four other servicemen were martyred during an area disinfection operation in Balochistan’s Barkhan district on Wednesday, the army’s media wing said.

“On the morning of 13 May 2026, troops of Pakistan Army and Balochistan Frontier Corps began a disinfection operation of Nosham general area of ​​Barkhan district to eliminate terrorists from Indian-backed countries. Fitna Al Hindustan”the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

He said troops located and attacked a group of terrorists. “During the exchange of fire, seven Indian-backed terrorists Fitna Al Hindustan They were sent to hell,” the ISPR added, adding that weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from them.

Read: 22 terrorists killed in intelligence operation in KP, says army

‘Fitna al-Hindustan‘ is a term used by the state to refer to all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan.

The ISPR said Major Bhatti, 31, a resident of Pakpattan district, was martyred, along with Naik Fida Hussain, 36, of Sukkur; Sepoy Zakir Hussain, 32, of Skardu; Sepoy Suhail Ahmed, 21, of Khanewal, and Sepoy Muhammad Ayaz, 24, of Rahim Yar Khan.

The army’s media wing said the disinfection operation in the surrounding areas was continuing to eliminate any further “Indian-sponsored terrorists” present.

“The relentless campaign against terrorism under the ‘Azm e Istehkam’ vision (approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by the Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to eliminate the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the statement concluded.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the officers and personnel of security forces for carrying out operation against terrorists in Nosham area of ​​Barkhan district of Balochistan.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, while paying tribute to Major Bhatti and other soldiers martyred during the operation, the Prime Minister also prayed for the elevation of their ranks and expressed condolences to their families.

“These great sons of the soil set a remarkable example of loyalty in defending the country against terrorists,” the prime minister said.

“The Pakistani nation will never forget the immense sacrifices of its martyrs,” he added.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said security forces officers and personnel remained committed day and night in protecting the country.

“In the unwavering determination to defend the homeland, the entire nation, including me, stands shoulder to shoulder with our brave security forces,” he said.

Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid tributes to Major Bhatti and the four soldiers martyred during the operation.

In a statement, the Minister of the Interior expressed his solidarity and condolences to the families of the martyrs.

Naqvi said Major Bhatti and the soldiers fought bravely and sent seven terrorists “to hell”.

He said the security personnel had foiled the nefarious designs of “Indian-sponsored terrorists” through their sacrifice and bravery.

“I salute the sacrifice of Major Tauseef Ahmed Bhatti and the other martyrs,” the minister said, adding that every drop of blood of the martyrs was a guarantee for the protection of the country.

“Every martyr, including Major Tauseef Ahmed, is the crown on our heads,” he said.

The Home Minister said that the martyrs sacrificed their precious lives for the country and achieved the high status of martyrdom. “Major Tauseef Ahmed and the other martyrs will always remain alive in our hearts,” he added.

Terrorism is a growing problem for Pakistan with the number of attacks increasing every year from 2022, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), a global monitoring organization. ACLED data shows that attacks in Pakistan increased almost four-fold to 2,425 in 2025 from 658 in 2022 and during the same period, TTP attacks increased more than seven-fold to 838 from 118.

Although Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has been the worst affected by terrorism, Balochistan has also remained a major target of Indian proxies, who often attack civilians and military installations in the province.

In one such attack on the last day of last year, terrorists attacked innocent civilians in Gwadar and Kharan districts of Balochistan, where 18 people, including women, children, elderly and workers, embraced martyrdom.

Security forces and law enforcement agencies responded immediately and successfully foiled the “evil designs” of the terrorists, killing 92 militants, while 15 security personnel also embraced martyrdom during the operation.