At least nine more militants belonging to the banned Fitna Al Khawarij group were killed in a fresh operation in Balochistan, taking the number of militants eliminated under the ongoing Operation Shaaban to 52, security sources said on Saturday.

According to security sources, the latest operation targeted militants hiding in the province’s mountainous terrain through coordinated ground and aerial operations.

Helicopters and air force assets were used to strike militant hideouts in difficult-to-access areas.

The Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan and Balochistan Police are jointly conducting the large-scale operation across the province’s rugged mountainous regions to eliminate militant networks and restore peace.

Security sources said a total of 52 militants have been killed since the launch of Operation Shaaban.

They added that the overall number of militants killed in security operations across Balochistan since July 5 has reached 88.

The sources reaffirmed the security forces’ resolve to continue the Operation Shaaban until the last terrorist is eliminated from Balochistan, saying the campaign would continue with full force.