• Minister says Balochistan govt obtained evidence of financial links to banned outfits
• Ransom paid to get two Hazara community members released
• IBOs in Panjgur, Kacchi leave seven terrorists dead

QUETTA: Calling for stronger coordination between government institutions and civil society to counter security threats and address the underlying challenges facing the province, Balo­ch­istan Home Minister Ziaullah Langove has said intelligence agencies had obtained evidence of alleged financial links between individuals in various quarters and outlawed terrorist outfits.

The minister expressed these views at a roundtable conference in Quetta on Friday when the state media reported that security forces killed seven terrorists in intelligence-based operations.

Some elements in the government, political gro­ups and even non-governmental organisations were found providing facilitation to militancy, he said. “Militant groups were raising funds through extortion from traders, farmers and commercial transporters, as well as highway robberies, looting and ransom demands,” he added.

The home minister said two Hazara community members had been released after payment of Rs7 million ransom.

At the roundtable conference, which was jointly organised by the Baloch­istan Centre of Excel­le­n­­ce, the Balochistan Home Department and the Pak­istan Poverty Alleviation Fund, various proposals were presented to impro­­ve inter-institutional co­­or­­dination, strengthen social development initiatives and formulate joint strategies for resolving issues confronting local communities.

The participants emp­h­asised that sustained progress in Balochistan req­u­ired collective efforts, ef­­f­e­­­ctive coordination and clo­­ser engagement among state institutions, development organisations and ci­­vil society. They discussed security con­­cerns, institutional coordination, soc­ial development and public welfare. They stressed that stronger cooperation bet­w­e­­en government dep­artments, dev­elop­ment ins­­titutions and civil society was essential for addr­essing public problems and ensuring sustainable development.

IBOs in Panjgur, Kachhi

Earlier, state broadcaster Radio Pakis­tan citing sources reported that security forces killed seven terrorists during two intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan. Five of the terrorists were killed in the Fateh Ali area of Panjgur district, the report said, adding that large quantities of weapons and ammunition were found in their possession.

Another IBO was conducted in the Dha­dar area of Kachhi district, during which two terrorists, were killed, it added.

Several other militants were injured during the operation, according to the report.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2026