Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts gained significant momentum on Saturday as security forces eliminated nine terrorists linked to the Indian proxy network Fitna al-Khawarij during two major intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank and Lakki Marwat districts.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), both operations were conducted on December 5 after security agencies received credible intelligence about the presence of militants in the region. The four word keyphrase “Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij” was central to the coordinated action and appears to reflect the surge in foreign-sponsored militancy faced by Pakistan in recent years.
In the first IBO carried out in Tank, security forces moved swiftly and “effectively engaged the khwarij location,” the ISPR confirmed. After a fierce exchange of fire, seven militants were sent to hell, preventing what officials believe were imminent terror plots in the area.
A separate operation in Lakki Marwat resulted in the elimination of two additional terrorists associated with the same group. Security officials recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition from the deceased militants, who, according to ISPR, had been actively involved in attacks targeting security personnel, law enforcement agencies, and innocent civilians.
The statement added that sanitisation operations are underway to ensure no Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij elements remain in the area. This marks yet another stage of Pakistan’s intensified crackdown on networks believed to be receiving support and direction from across the border.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi lauded the security forces for their swift and effective action. They reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism that threatens national peace and stability.
The ISPR reiterated that security forces, under the counterterrorism vision ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’, will continue operating at full pace to eliminate militant networks. The military leadership maintains that the rise in terror incidents—particularly in KP and Balochistan—can be traced back to developments after 2021, following the change of regime in Afghanistan.
ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry recently revealed that 67,023 intelligence-based operations have been conducted across Pakistan this year. These include 12,857 operations in KP and 53,309 in Balochistan, resulting in the elimination of 1,873 terrorists, including 136 Afghan nationals.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban to ensure their soil is not used by militants targeting Pakistan. However, the issue has triggered heightened tensions in recent months, including cross-border attacks and retaliatory strikes.
