Security forces killed 10 militants and arrested two female suicide bombers along with a facilitator during intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Surab and Mastung districts over 48 hours ending July 22–23, in what the ISPR described as operations targeting India-sponsored terrorist networks in Balochistan (Express Tribune; Business Recorder; Pakistan Today).
Seven militants were killed in Surab and three in Mastung. The arrests of the two female suicide bombers and their alleged facilitator were made in Mastung. The ISPR linked the women and their handler to what the military designates “Fitna al-Hindustan” — the umbrella term the ISPR uses for India-sponsored terrorist cells operating inside Pakistan. Weapons and explosive material were recovered during the operations.
Significance of the female bomber arrests
The arrest of two female suicide bombers is among the most operationally significant disclosures to emerge from the Operation Shaban campaign. Female suicide bombing has been a tactic employed by both TTP and BLA-affiliated networks in Balochistan, and the deployment of female operatives typically indicates a more sophisticated network structure — one capable of concealing operatives through gender-based security screening gaps.
The ISPR’s designation of the arrested women as “Fitna al-Hindustan” rather than Fitna al-Khawarij (the TTP designation) or BLA-linked is significant: it asserts an Indian intelligence nexus rather than purely domestic or Afghan-based militant origin. Pakistan has been making this allegation with increasing frequency since the India-Pakistan military standoff in May 2026 and has stated it intends to take the evidence of India’s “proxy war” in Balochistan to international forums.
Cumulative toll
The Surab and Mastung kills bring the cumulative death toll from Operation Shaban and concurrent Balochistan IBOs to approximately 165 since the campaign launched July 5. Operations are continuing in both northern Balochistan (TTP-aligned networks) and southern Balochistan (BLA/Fitna al-Hindustan-linked cells), with the 19th day marking the campaign’s entry into its consolidation phase.
