Pakistan’s security forces killed a key militant commander during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Qila Saifullah district.
Sources revealed on Sunday that the slain militant was identified as Adil Shah, alias Darvesh, who had been associated with the Fitna al-Khawarij group since December 2020.
The said commander had managed the group’s financial operations since 2024 and facilitated accommodation for non-local militants in Zhob, Sherani and Shaban. He was also involved in attacks on security forces and kidnappings for ransom in 2022 and 2023.
The sources added that 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 arrest.
The operation was conducted as part of the ongoing security campaign in Balochistan under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3.
Pakistan has experienced a surge in militant violence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Islamabad has repeatedly called on Kabul to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
Despite several rounds of negotiations, the two countries have yet to bridge their differences, with the presence of militant organisations on Afghan soil remaining a key source of tension.