QUETTA: Pakistani security forces killed 14 suspected militants in two separate counterterrorism operations in southwestern Balochistan province, police said on Wednesday, as authorities intensify action against insurgent groups after recent large-scale attacks in the region.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has faced a decades-long separatist insurgency in which militants target security forces, infrastructure and civilians. The violence escalated last month when coordinated attacks across multiple districts in the province killed 36 civilians and 22 security forces. The state says 216 militants were killed in subsequent operations.

Separatist groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) accuse the state of exploiting the resource-rich region, a claim Islamabad denies.

“In Quetta’s Darakhshan area, eight suspected terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire during a Counter Terrorism Department operation,” a CTD spokesperson said in a statement, adding that three CTD personnel were also injured and weapons and ammunition were recovered.

The spokesperson said the killed suspects were believed to belong to a banned organization.

In a separate intelligence-based operation in Barkhan district, security forces killed six suspected militants during another firefight.

“During the operation, weapons and explosive material were recovered from the terrorists,” the spokesperson said, adding that the suspects were involved in sabotage activities and their bodies were shifted to Rakhni Hospital.

Security officials say raids and targeted operations will continue as part of broader efforts to dismantle militant networks operating across the province.