In a major counter-terrorism success, Pakistan’s security forces killed seven terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Kulachi, Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed on Sunday.
According to ISPR, the operation was launched on September 20 after receiving credible intelligence about the presence of militants linked to an Indian proxy group, Fitna al Khwarij. Security troops engaged the hideout with precision, eliminating seven terrorists, including three Afghan nationals and two suicide bombers.
“During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location and as a result, seven terrorists, including Afghan nationals, were sent to hell,” ISPR stated. It further added that sanitisation efforts were underway to track down any remaining Indian-backed elements in the area.
The military reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to eradicate militancy, stressing that terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains a pressing challenge due to cross-border infiltration. “Pakistan expects the interim Afghan government to fulfill its responsibilities and ensure Afghan soil is not used for terrorist activities,” the statement added.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also reiterated his zero-tolerance stance, warning that Afghanistan must “choose between standing with terrorists or standing with Pakistan.” His remarks come at a time when militant incidents in Pakistan have seen a sharp surge, particularly in KP and Balochistan, since the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021.
A recent report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) revealed that militant attacks in August rose by a staggering 74% compared to July, resulting in 194 deaths. Security sources claim that masterminds and facilitators of these attacks are operating from Afghanistan with support from India.
The United Nations Security Council’s Monitoring Team has also confirmed Islamabad’s concerns, highlighting links between the Afghan Taliban and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), including logistical and financial support.
Pakistan has long hosted Afghan refugees, but following a crackdown on undocumented migrants, more than 554,000 Afghans have returned since April 2025 under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan. Despite shared cultural and trade ties across the 2,500 km border, the persistence of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues to threaten regional stability.
