Twin Operations in Lakki Marwat and Bannu
Pakistan’s security forces killed 31 terrorists linked to the Indian-backed group “Fitna al Khwarij” during two intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Monday.
According to the military’s media wing, the first operation was carried out in Lakki Marwat district on September 13. Troops engaged the militants in heavy fire, resulting in 14 terrorists being eliminated. A second operation in Bannu on September 14 saw 17 more terrorists neutralised in a fierce gunfight.
Sanitisation Operations Underway
The ISPR said clearance and sanitisation efforts are continuing to ensure no remaining militants escape. It reaffirmed that Pakistan’s armed forces remain committed to eradicating the menace of terrorism and will not allow Indian-sponsored elements to destabilise the country.
Rising Terror Threat Since 2021
Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in cross-border militancy since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The porous 2,500-kilometre Pakistan-Afghanistan border has enabled groups such as the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to carry out deadly attacks, often with alleged Indian support.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently reiterated that Afghanistan must not allow its soil to be used against Pakistan, warning that Islamabad would not tolerate any ambiguity in the fight against terrorism.
Refugees and Security Concerns
Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades but has toughened its stance in recent years. Under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, over 554,000 undocumented Afghans have been sent back since April 2025, including nearly 145,000 in August alone.
Global Reports Back Pakistan’s Concerns
Islamabad’s claims of Indian involvement and Afghan complicity were echoed in a UN Security Council report, which pointed to Kabul’s logistical and financial support for the TTP. Independent monitoring also shows worsening violence: the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) reported a 74% surge in militant incidents in August compared to July, with 194 fatalities in one month alone.
