Pakistan security forces carried out an intelligence-based raid on 16 July in the Grai Kuri area of Awaran district, Balochistan, targeting a suspected militant hide-out, the military’s Inter-Services Public Relations office said. During the exchange of fire Major Syed Rab Nawaz Tariq, 34, was fatally struck by a sniper round while leading his troops, and another soldier was wounded. The operation left three militants dead; the army said the fighters belonged to the India-backed proxy group “Fitna al Hindustan.” The army stated that the action was part of continuing efforts to eradicate militancy in Balochistan and vowed to press on with operations despite the loss of personnel.