Security forces killed eight terrorists in North Waziristan on Wednesday along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the military’s media wing said on Thursday. The operation once again substantiates Pakistan’s stance regarding the “abject failure” of the Afghan Taliban regime to ensure effective border management on their side, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated.
RAWALPINDI – According to the ISPR statement, the operation targeted a group of khawarij affiliated with the Indian-backed Fitna al Khawarij network—the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The movement of the terrorists along the border was detected by security personnel, who then engaged the terrorists with precision. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists.
“This engagement once again substantiates our repeated stance regarding the abject failure of the Afghan Taliban regime to ensure effective border management on their side,” the ISPR statement said. “They must fulfill their obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by khawarij and the involvement of their citizens in terrorism inside Pakistan.”
Sanitisation Operations Underway
The statement added that sanitisation operations are underway to eliminate any remaining terrorists in the area. The counter-terrorism campaign under the vision “Azm-e-Istehkam,” approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue at full pace.
The Apex Committee of the National Action Plan, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam in June 2024 to eliminate terrorism and extremism across the country. The operation aims to eradicate extremism and terrorism decisively and comprehensively, coordinating and aligning efforts across multiple fronts while intensifying efforts to curb terrorist activities through regional cooperation within the political and diplomatic spheres.
President, PM Appreciate Security Forces
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have appreciated the security forces for their successful operation against Fitna al Khawarij in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area of North Waziristan, Radio Pakistan reported.
In a statement, the president said the role of the security forces in defending the country and protecting its borders is commendable. He urged the Afghan interim government to prevent its territory from being used against Pakistan.
In a separate statement, the prime minister affirmed that the fight against terrorism will continue until it is completely eradicated from the country. He said the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces in the resolve to combat terrorism.
Resurgence of Militancy
The operation in North Waziristan is the latest in a series of counter-terrorism actions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has seen a significant rise in terrorist attacks over the past year. According to the Annual Security Report 2025 from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), KP recorded a substantial surge in violence last year as fatalities rose from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025.
Earlier this week, security forces killed 13 terrorists in two separate intelligence-based operations in KP’s Bara and Bannu areas. On March 15, security forces killed five terrorists during an IBO in Lakki Marwat. A week before that, 13 terrorists were eliminated in five separate operations across the province.
Cross-Border Concerns
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concerns about the use of Afghan soil by TTP terrorists to launch attacks inside Pakistan. The ISPR statement’s reference to the “abject failure” of the Afghan Taliban regime reflects Islamabad’s frustration with cross-border militancy.
The Afghan Taliban government has denied allowing its territory to be used against Pakistan, but Pakistani officials point to the continued presence of TTP leadership and fighters in Afghanistan as evidence of insufficient border control.
Analysis: Sustained Counter-Terrorism Campaign
The elimination of eight terrorists in North Waziristan continues the sustained intensity of counter-terrorism operations along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The ISPR’s explicit linking of the operation to the “failure” of the Afghan Taliban regime signals that Pakistan intends to maintain diplomatic pressure on Kabul even as it conducts military operations.
The reference to “Indian-backed Fitna al Khawarij” reflects Pakistan’s framing of the TTP as a foreign-sponsored entity, linking the militancy in KP and border areas to external actors. The successful operation—relying on detection of terrorist movement along the border—demonstrates the security forces’ ability to monitor and intercept terrorist groups attempting to infiltrate from Afghanistan.
As sanitisation operations continue, the focus will be on eliminating remaining terrorist networks and preventing future attacks. The commendation from the president and prime minister underscores the political leadership’s support for the security forces’ counter-terrorism efforts.
For the people of North Waziristan and KP, who have borne the brunt of terrorist violence over the past two decades, the successful operation offers some reassurance that the state remains committed to their security. As the country navigates multiple challenges—including the economic fallout of the Middle East conflict and ongoing diplomatic efforts to mediate between the US and Iran—maintaining internal security remains a critical priority.
