A Pakistan Army major was killed while five terrorists, backed by India, were eliminated during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing announced on Saturday.
The operation took place in the Razmak area following reports of terrorists affiliated with the Indian proxy group Fitna al-Khawarij. Security forces engaged the militants effectively, resulting in the deaths of five India-sponsored terrorists.
During the intense firefight, Major Hafiz Ihsan Elahi, aged 34 and a resident of District Mianwali, who was leading his troops courageously from the front, was martyred. The military honored his bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, who had been actively involved in numerous attacks against security personnel, law enforcement agencies, and innocent civilians. A sanitization operation is ongoing to eliminate any remaining India-sponsored militants in the area.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to the counterterrorism campaign under the Azm-e-Istehkam initiative, working alongside law enforcement agencies to combat foreign-supported militancy nationwide.
In a related development, security forces neutralized seven India-backed terrorists, including a suicide bomber, during an intelligence-based operation in Nushki district of Balochistan. The operation was conducted overnight between July 30 and 31, targeting militants linked to the Indian proxy Fitna al Hindustan.
The terrorists’ hideout was identified, monitored, and swiftly dismantled, resulting in the elimination of all seven militants. Ammunition and improvised explosive devices were also destroyed at the site. Sanitization efforts continue to root out any remaining militants in the region.
Since 2021, following the Afghan Taliban’s rise to power, Pakistan has experienced a surge in terrorist activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. A report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) highlighted these two provinces as the epicenters of violence during the second quarter of 2026.
The report indicated that KP and Balochistan accounted for nearly 96% of all violence-related fatalities, with KP recording over 61% (475 deaths) and Balochistan 34% (265 deaths). KP also reported the highest number of violent incidents at 151 cases (57%), followed by Balochistan with 94 incidents (35%), representing the majority of violence nationwide.
