ISPR Reports Major Success in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Operations
Pakistan’s security forces have eliminated 24 terrorists allegedly belonging to an Indian proxy group in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing announced on Friday. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated the operations targeted militants from the “Fitna al-Khawarij” group in the Orakzai and Khyber districts.
Details of the Engagements
According to the ISPR, the first operation in Orakzai District resulted in the killing of 14 militants following an intense firefight at a terrorist hideout. A second IBO in Khyber District led to the neutralization of 10 more terrorists. The military stated that sanitization operations are ongoing in the areas to eliminate any remaining threats.
The statement from the ISPR was unequivocal in its accusations: “Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji found in the area as relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision Azm e Istehkam […] will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.”
Context of Escalating Counter-Terrorism Campaign
These latest operations follow a significant counter-terrorism offensive dubbed “Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 1,” which was launched after coordinated militant attacks in Balochistan. The ISPR previously reported that at least 216 terrorists were killed in that operation, which also resulted in significant civilian and security force casualties.
Pakistan has faced a surge in cross-border terrorism since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces bearing the brunt of the violence. Pakistani officials have consistently accused militant leadership of operating from Afghan soil.
2025 Counter-Terrorism Statistics
The scale of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts was highlighted in a recent press briefing by ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry. He revealed that in 2025 alone:
- Law enforcement agencies conducted 75,175 IBOs nationwide.
- 5,397 terrorism incidents were reported across the country.
- 2,597 terrorists were killed in counter-terror operations.
Lt Gen Chaudhry emphasized that Afghan militants were involved in all major terror attacks last year, which deliberately targeted civilians and soft targets.
The military’s latest announcement underscores Pakistan’s ongoing and intensified campaign against militant groups it alleges are supported by external actors, particularly India, amid persistent regional security challenges.
