In a major counterterrorism success, Pakistan’s security forces eliminated four terrorists, including a top TTP commander in Bajaur, during a late-night operation near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed on Thursday.
According to the ISPR, the operation took place between the night of October 29 and 30 when security personnel detected the movement of a terrorist group attempting to infiltrate Pakistan from Afghanistan. Acting swiftly, the forces engaged the infiltrators, killing four militants on the spot. Among them was Amjad alias Mazahim — a key TTP commander in Bajaur and a high-value target.
Amjad, who was second-in-command to TTP chief Noor Wali and head of the Rehbari Shura of the Indian-backed Fitna al-Khwarij group, carried a bounty of Rs5 million. The ISPR revealed that he had long been orchestrating terrorist activities inside Pakistan while taking refuge in Afghanistan. His death marks a significant blow to the militant outfit’s network and morale.
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Following the operation, security forces launched a sanitisation campaign to clear the area of any remaining militants. The ISPR emphasized that this action was part of the ongoing Azm-e-Istehkam initiative — a nationwide counterterrorism effort aimed at eradicating foreign-sponsored terrorism from Pakistani soil.
The military’s media wing also underscored that the TTP leadership, based in Afghanistan, continues to plan infiltration attempts into Pakistan to give a false impression of domestic presence. However, consistent and effective operations by Pakistani forces have severely weakened their influence in regions like Bajaur and Mohmand.
Reiterating its stance, the ISPR urged the interim Afghan government to ensure its soil is not used as a launchpad for terror attacks against Pakistan. “This operation once again validates our stance that Afghan territory remains a safe haven for Khawarij terrorists,” the statement said.
The ISPR reaffirmed that Pakistan’s security forces remain unwavering in their mission to defend the country’s borders and maintain internal peace.
Who was Qari Amjad?
Born on April 17, 1979, in Samar Bagh, Lower Dir, Qari Amjad had long operated from Dangam in Afghanistan’s Kunar province. The U.S. government had designated him a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in March 2023, citing his role in orchestrating deadly attacks across Pakistan’s northwest.
He was notorious for introducing new terror tactics, including the use of drones and quadcopters for bombing security posts. Amjad also supervised the destruction of girls’ schools and other educational institutions, a brutal reflection of his extremist ideology.
According to security sources, Amjad had recently returned to Bajaur under direct orders from Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud. His movements were closely tracked before he was successfully eliminated by Pakistani intelligence and special forces in a nighttime operation.
Mastermind behind terror attacks
During his years of militancy, Qari Amjad planned and executed multiple suicide bombings, IED attacks, and cross-border ambushes. He led the TTP’s drone teams responsible for dropping explosives on border outposts and trained militants in infiltration tactics.
He also commanded a dedicated squad focused on destroying girls’ schools, making him one of the most feared operatives in the group’s ranks.
