What happened
Pakistan’s military said troops of the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps Balochistan began a sanitisation operation in the Nosham area of Barkhan district, Balochistan, on the morning of 13 May 2026, targeting militants it calls Indian-backed “Fitna al-Hindustan”.
The Inter-Services Public Relations said a group of militants was located and engaged by the troops, and that seven were killed in the exchange of fire. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the dead militants, it said.
The fallen soldiers
The military’s media wing said five security personnel, including a field officer, were killed in the intense exchange of fire. It identified them as Major Tauseef Ahmed Bhatti, 31, of Pakpattan district; Naik Fida Hussain, 36, of Sukkur; Sepoy Zakir Hussain, 32, of Skardu; Sepoy Suhail Ahmed, 21, of Khanewal; and Sepoy Muhammad Ayaz, 24, of Rahim Yar Khan.
The military said sanitisation operations in the surrounding areas were continuing to eliminate any remaining militants.
Reaction
Geo News reported that President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces over the operation, saying they had foiled designs by militants targeting the country’s peace and stability. In separate statements, the leaders paid homage to the five soldiers and expressed condolences to their families. The interior minister said the personnel had fought bravely and killed seven militants.
Why it matters
The operation came amid a fresh surge in militant violence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Balochistan has seen an increase in attacks in recent months, especially on law enforcement personnel and paramilitary forces.
The military said the counter-terrorism campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” framework, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace to eliminate what it calls foreign-sponsored terrorism.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of providing sanctuary to militants linked to groups it calls “Fitna al-Hindustan” and “Fitna al-Khawarij”, a reference to the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegations and says militancy in Pakistan is an internal security issue.
What is still uncertain
No group had claimed responsibility for the Barkhan clash at the time of reporting. The account of the operation, the identities of the dead and the casualty figures rest on the military’s statement and Geo News’s report.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a summary of published material, not independent reporting. Source reviewed on 2026-05-13. "Fitna al-Hindustan" is a term used by Pakistani authorities; its use here reflects the source's attribution.
- Geo News — "Army officer among five soldiers martyred, 7 terrorists killed in Balochistan operation"13 May 2026 · Reports the ISPR account of the Nosham, Barkhan operation, the five soldiers killed, the seven militants killed and the reaction of state leaders.
