Security forces in Pakistan killed four terrorists in two separate operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, according to the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). These intelligence-based operations targeted known militants in North Waziristan and Khyber District, resulting in the recovery of weapons and ammunition, as authorities intensify efforts to curb a recent surge in terror activities.
Details of the Operations
North Waziristan:
In the North Waziristan District, an intense intelligence-led operation resulted in the killing of two terrorists following a gunfight. The ISPR confirmed that one of those killed was identified as Insaf Ullah, a prominent militant figure. The statement emphasized that the terrorists, described by ISPR as “khawarij,” a term denoting outcasts, had actively participated in numerous attacks against both civilians and law enforcement.
Khyber District:
Another operation unfolded in the Khyber District, where Pakistani forces engaged a known terrorist location, resulting in the deaths of two additional militants and injuring three others. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site, bolstering the ongoing crackdown on armed groups in the area.
Both operations were part of ongoing efforts to clear the region of militant activity, with ISPR stating that “sanitisation operations” continue to ensure no remaining threats are left unchecked.
Rising Threat of Terrorism in Pakistan
Pakistan has seen an increase in attacks targeting security personnel, law enforcement agencies, and checkpoints, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. This escalation follows the collapse of a ceasefire between the government and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in 2022, leading to renewed militant activities in the region.
To intensify the focus on these threats, the Pakistani government has officially designated the TTP as “Fitna al Khawarij,” and mandated that media and government agencies refer to perpetrators as “khariji” (outcasts), emphasizing their outsider status and further condemning their actions.
Recent Suicide Attack Increases Tensions
On Saturday, just a day before the recent anti-terrorism operations, a suicide bomber targeted a security checkpoint in the Eidak area of North Waziristan, resulting in the deaths of eight people, including four police officers and two security personnel. The attack, which injured multiple individuals and damaged several vehicles, took place as officials were inspecting vehicles. Witnesses report the bomber, who arrived in a rickshaw, detonated explosives at the checkpoint.
The injured from this attack were initially taken to a local hospital in Miramshah before being transferred to the Combined Military Hospital in Bannu for further treatment. Security forces have since cordoned off the area and initiated further investigative and security protocols.
Pakistan’s Renewed Anti-Terror Stance
The operations in North Waziristan and Khyber District underscore Pakistan’s renewed dedication to eliminating terrorism from the region. According to ISPR, security forces are resolute in their commitment to “wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country.”
As Pakistani forces press forward with intelligence-based operations, citizens and officials alike remain vigilant amid the resurgence of attacks, hoping to restore stability and security to affected areas.
