Security forces in Balochistan have recovered the bullet-riddled bodies of four abducted security personnel from the Shaban area of Harnai district, amid a continuing joint operation that has now killed 126 terrorists since July 5. The discovery adds a grim chapter to an already bloody month in the province. Main Developments Three more terrorists were killed on Wednesday as the joint operation by the army, police, and Frontier Corps Balochistan pressed forward in the mountainous Shaban terrain. Officials confirmed that the operation's death toll has reached 88, with the broader count since July 5 climbing to 126. The four bodies recovered on Monday included active and retired personnel. Among the dead was Inspector Zubair Ahmed of the Airport Security Force, who was posted in Islamabad and had come to Quetta on leave. He was abducted on June 21 along with his friend Khalil Ahmed, a former Counter Terrorism Department official. Read also: PTI to launch nationwide movement on third anniversary of Imran Khan's arrest The other two victims were identified as retired Havaldar Muhammad Sadiq and Anti-Terrorist Force constable Fareed Ahmed. Both were taken by armed men from the Mangi area of Ziarat on July 5. Officials said all four bodies appeared to be several days old, suggesting the abductors killed them before dumping the remains in Shaban. Background The current operation was triggered by a devastating attack on a police post in the Mangi dam area. Twenty-seven police personnel were martyred in that assault: nine were killed on the spot, and 18 others were kidnapped and later killed by the terrorists. Violence in Balochistan has escalated sharply in recent weeks, with security forces and civilians both targeted. The Shaban area, known for its difficult terrain, has become a focal point for militant hideouts that the joint operation aims to dismantle. Why It Matters The killings underscore the persistent threat to security personnel in Balochistan, even those on leave or retired. The recovery of bodies from an abandoned site highlights the militants' ability to operate in remote areas despite ongoing military pressure. Meanwhile, public anger is mounting. Families of the martyred police personnel have been holding sit-ins at Koila Phatak and in front of the DC Office in Ziarat, while in Quetta, protesters continue demonstrating alongside seven bodies. A government negotiation team led by Home Minister Ziaullah Langove has held talks with an all-parties alliance, but a deadlock persists over demands. What's Next The joint operation in Shaban continues, with troops targeting terrorist hideouts in the challenging terrain. Authorities are investigating the abductions and killings of all four men, though no immediate breakthroughs have been reported. Negotiations between the government and protesting families remain at an impasse. The government delegation says most demands have been accepted and has appealed for the sit-ins to end, but protesters have not yet relented.