In a significant development in the ongoing fight against terrorism, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) alongside local police successfully neutralized six terrorists during a joint operation carried out in the Lachi area of Kohat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Sunday. District Police Officer Shehbaz Elahi confirmed the operation, highlighting that the security forces recovered a cache of weapons from the militants, underscoring the seriousness of the threat posed by these elements.
The operation was launched as part of intensified security measures following a recent surge in violent incidents across the province. Authorities have cordoned off the targeted area and continue to conduct thorough search operations to ensure no militants remain at large. This proactive approach reflects the commitment of law enforcement agencies to dismantle terrorist networks and restore peace in the region.
This action comes on the heels of a similar intelligence-driven raid conducted by the CTD just a day earlier, which also resulted in the elimination of six suspected militants. The heightened operations follow a deadly attack that took place on Friday near a police vehicle in the Bettani tribal area of Lakki Marwat, where at least seven police personnel lost their lives in a blast. Such attacks have prompted security forces to escalate their counter-terrorism campaigns to prevent further loss of life and maintain stability.
It is important to note that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces have experienced increased cross-border terrorist activities since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The porous border has often been exploited by militant groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan, posing a persistent challenge to national security. In response, Pakistan initiated “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq,” a comprehensive military campaign targeting Afghan Taliban fighters both along the border and within Afghan territory.
statements from Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, the operation has so far resulted in the deaths of at least 663 Afghan Taliban militants. Additionally, over 887 fighters have been injured, and significant damage has been inflicted on terrorist infrastructure, including the destruction of 249 checkposts and the capture of 44 militants. The campaign has also successfully eliminated 224 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery guns, severely degrading the operational capabilities of these groups.
Furthermore, Pakistan has conducted targeted airstrikes against terrorist camps linked to Fitna al Khawarij, its affiliates, and Daesh-Khorasan in Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces. These strikes reportedly killed more than 80 militants and destroyed seven terrorist hideouts. These actions serve as a direct retaliation to recent suicide attacks and demonstrate Pakistan’s resolve to combat terrorism beyond its borders.
It is worth recalling that tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated in October 2025, when clashes erupted along the border after unprovoked attacks by the Afghan Taliban and allied militants on Pakistani border posts. The confrontations resulted in the deaths of over 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated militants, while Pakistan mourned the loss of 23 soldiers who were killed defending their territory. Despite multiple rounds of diplomatic talks, efforts to reach a lasting agreement have been hampered by the Afghan Taliban regime’s unwillingness to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating from their soil.
As the security situation remains volatile, the recent operation in Kohat underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Pakistani security forces in safeguarding the nation. The combined efforts of the CTD and police in eliminating these terrorists highlight the critical importance of coordinated counter-terrorism strategies to protect citizens and maintain law and order in the region.
