In a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism, security forces neutralised 14 terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan’s Datta Khel area, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed on Wednesday.
The operation targeted militants associated with Indian proxy outfit “Fitna al-Khawarij”, based on confirmed intelligence reports. According to ISPR, the security forces swiftly responded, leading to an intense exchange of fire in which all 14 militants were killed.
“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area,” ISPR added, ensuring the region is cleared of any remaining threats.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the professionalism and bravery of the troops, stating that the “nefarious intentions of terrorists and enemies of humanity will be crushed.” He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completely eradicating terrorism from the country.
The North Waziristan IBO followed another successful action in Balochistan’s Mach area, where five Indian-backed terrorists were eliminated earlier this week.
Terror Attacks Surge in May: 113 Lives Lost Across Pakistan
The IBOs come amid a disturbing rise in terrorist activity. A report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) revealed that 85 attacks occurred in May, up from 81 in April — a 5% increase.
These attacks led to 113 deaths, including:
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52 security personnel
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46 civilians
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11 militants
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4 peace committee members
Additionally, 182 people were injured, the majority of them civilians. Civilian injuries saw a shocking 145% increase, rising from 53 in April to 130 in May.
The surge in violence also saw security personnel fatalities jump by 73%, even as injuries among security forces dropped. Despite these losses, the security forces launched proactive IBOs across the country, killing at least 59 militants and arresting 52 suspects during the month.
In total, 172 individuals lost their lives in both attacks and operations, while 194 people were injured.
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India’s Backing of Terror Proxies Escalates Regional Tensions
The Pakistani government has once again blamed India for backing terrorist groups like TTP and BLA, accusing New Delhi of sponsoring attacks in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
After the Khuzdar school bus bombing, where three students and two others were martyred, Interior Secretary Capt (retd) Khurram Muhammad Agha warned that Pakistan’s response to the Fitna al-Hindustan attack would be “decisive.”
Tensions between Pakistan and India reached new lows following the Pahalgam incident in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for the deaths of 26 tourists, an accusation Islamabad categorically rejected while offering a transparent probe and pointing to Indian proxies operating inside Pakistan.
The army has vowed to eliminate all foreign-sponsored militants and reaffirmed the nation’s resolve to bring the perpetrators and their facilitators to justice.
As the battle against terrorism continues, the people of Pakistan remain hopeful that national security forces will succeed in protecting the homeland against those who seek to destabilise it.