Security forces eliminated five terrorists linked to India during two intelligence-driven operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between May 7 and 8. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the successful missions on Friday.
One operation took place in the Tank district after intelligence indicated the presence of militants. During the engagement, security personnel confronted the khawarij hideout, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire. Four terrorists affiliated with the India-sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij group were killed in the encounter.
Meanwhile, another operation was conducted in Dera Ismail Khan district, where one terrorist was neutralized following a firefight. Weapons and ammunition were seized from the deceased militants, who had been actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the region.
Following these operations, forces initiated a sanitization sweep to eliminate any remaining militants in the area. The military reiterated its commitment to a relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision ‘Azm e Istehkam,’ as endorsed by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. This campaign aims to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from Pakistan.
Since the Afghan Taliban’s takeover in 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a significant rise in cross-border terrorist attacks, particularly in the border provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Islamabad has consistently urged Kabul to prevent its territory from being used as a base for terrorist activities targeting Pakistan.
However, the Afghan Taliban regime has declined to take action against terror groups responsible for numerous attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians. In response, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in February 2026, months after both countries agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025, following clashes sparked by unprovoked gunfire from the Afghan Taliban at multiple border points.
Despite multiple rounds of dialogue, the two sides have yet to reach a lasting agreement, largely due to the Afghan Taliban’s unwillingness to curb terrorist outfits operating from its soil.
