ISLAMABAD: Five militants linked to Fitna al-Hindustan, a group Pakistan describes as an Indian proxy, were killed in Balochistan’s Washuk district, the military said on Thursday. The Washuk operation was an intelligence-based action carried out by security forces, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
How the Washuk Operation Unfolded
The ISPR said troops launched the intelligence-based operation overnight on October 12-13, 2026, after receiving information that members of the group were present in the area.
In its statement, the military media wing said security forces moved quickly against the target and destroyed a terrorist hideout. Troops also recovered a large stockpile of weapons, ammunition and explosives from the site.
Clearance operations are still under way in the area. The ISPR said they are meant to flush out any other militants described as India-sponsored who may be hiding nearby.
Azm-e-Istehkam and the Wider Security Push
The military reiterated that, under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision cleared by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, security forces and law enforcement agencies will keep up their campaign at full pace. The stated goal is to rid the country of terrorism that is backed and sponsored from abroad.
Rising Militant Violence Across the Country
The operation comes as Pakistan faces a steep increase in cross-border militant violence, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The trend has intensified since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021.
September 2026 was the deadliest month for militant attacks in 12 years, based on figures from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). The Islamabad-based independent think tank, which tracks anti-state violence in the region, recorded 225 attacks nationwide in September, up from 199 in August. That is a 13% rise, and the third straight monthly increase.
Islamabad-Kabul Tensions Remain Unresolved
Islamabad has repeatedly asked Kabul to stop militant groups from using Afghan territory to stage attacks inside Pakistan. Pakistan’s position is that the Taliban administration has not taken effective action against groups responsible for strikes on security personnel and civilians.
Several rounds of talks have not closed the gap. The presence of militant groups on Afghan soil continues to be the main sticking point between the two countries.