Security forces in Balochistan have eliminated 10 militants and captured two female suicide bombers along with their handler during coordinated operations over the past two days, the military's media wing announced Wednesday. The sweeps in Surab and Mastung districts mark the latest phase of a broader campaign targeting what authorities describe as foreign-backed insurgent networks. Main Developments Seven terrorists were killed in Surab, while three were neutralized in Mastung, where the two female suicide bombers and their facilitator were also taken into custody, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Weapons, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices were recovered from the sites. The ISPR described the operations as targeting the "terrorist nexus of India-sponsored Fitna-al-Hindustan and Fitna-al-Khawarij." Pakistan uses the term Fitna-al-Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Balochistan-based groups are labeled Fitna-al-Hindustan to underscore alleged Indian involvement in destabilizing the country. Read also: Why Pakistan's homemade drones signal a new defence era Sanitisation operations are ongoing to eliminate any remaining India-sponsored terrorists in the area, the ISPR added. The statement reaffirmed that the counter-terrorism campaign, under the vision of 'Azm-i-Istehkam' approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue at full pace. Background The latest raids follow a sharp deterioration in Balochistan's security environment. A monthly assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) released in early June reported that the province recorded 71 terrorist attacks in May, a 109 percent increase from 34 in April, making it the most affected province that month. Kidnappings also surged nationwide, with 52 of 54 abductions in May occurring in Balochistan alone, signaling growing operational confidence among militant groups. Earlier this month, security forces launched Operation Shaban in retaliation for a July 6 attack on a police post at the Mangi Dam pumping station in Ziarat, where armed assailants kidnapped and killed 27 police officers. On July 9, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the country's civil and military leadership had taken a "mutual and singular decision" to end terrorism following major incidents in Balochistan. His remarks came a day after ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry explicitly blamed India and Afghanistan for recent attacks, citing three major incidents: an armed attack near Quetta on July 5, the Ziarat police post assault, and an ambush of an army convoy in Bela on July 7. Why It Matters Balochistan's escalating violence threatens both regional stability and Pakistan's internal security framework. The province's strategic location—bordering Iran and Afghanistan and hosting the deep-water port of Gwadar—makes it critical for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, which insurgents have repeatedly targeted. The involvement of female suicide bombers marks a tactical shift that could complicate counter-terrorism efforts. Official allegations of foreign sponsorship, particularly against India and Afghanistan, risk further straining already tense diplomatic relations and may influence Pakistan's security posture along its western borders. What's Next Security forces are expected to maintain pressure through continued sanitisation operations in Surab and Mastung. The broader Azm-i-Istehkam campaign, approved at the highest civilian-military level, suggests a sustained, coordinated approach between the army and law enforcement agencies. Authorities will likely interrogate the captured female suicide bombers and their facilitator to gather intelligence on planned attacks and network linkages. The upcoming months will test whether the intensified operations can reverse the upward trend in terrorist violence documented by PICSS, particularly in Balochistan's kidnapping and attack statistics.