A Pakistan Army officer, Major Syed Rabnawaz Tariq, was martyred during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan’s Awaran district on July 16, 2025, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported. The operation targeted terrorists linked to alleged Indian-backed groups, resulting in the elimination of three militants.
The ISPR stated that the operation was launched based on credible intelligence about the presence of terrorists associated with “Fitna al-Hindustan,” a term used by Pakistani authorities to describe Indian-sponsored militant groups. During the intense exchange of fire, Major Tariq, a 34-year-old resident of Muzaffarabad, led his troops with valor but succumbed to his injuries, making the ultimate sacrifice. The operation successfully neutralized three terrorists, and a sanitization effort is underway to clear the area of any remaining threats.
This incident follows a surge in cross-border terrorism in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The ISPR emphasized the military’s resolve to eradicate terrorism, stating, “The sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our commitment to wipe out Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country.” The operation comes amid heightened regional tensions, with recent attacks in Balochistan, including a bus attack in Kalat that killed three and injured 12.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, paying tribute to Major Tariq’s bravery and reiterating Pakistan’s determination to combat terrorism. The nation mourns the loss of a courageous officer as security forces continue their efforts to restore peace in the region.
