ISLAMABAD: Security forces have killed 22 additional militants in ongoing counterterrorism operations in Balochistan, raising the death toll of suspected terrorists to 177 over the past three days, security officials said Monday.
Officials said coordinated actions by the military, intelligence agencies and police were continuing as part of what they described as sanitisation operations aimed at dismantling militant networks and their facilitators across the province.
Sources reported that more casualties were expected as operations expanded into remaining hideouts.
The updated figure follows a statement by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday, who said more than 150 militants had been neutralised in recent actions.
The operations come after a wave of attacks across several districts, including Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.
Authorities said the assaults were carried out by militants linked to the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the attacks killed at least 31 civilians and 17 members of the security forces.
Officials said efforts were ongoing to track down remaining militants and those providing logistical support.