In a decisive move against militancy, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) alongside local police forces 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 and highlighted the recovery of weapons from the deceased militants, underscoring the ongoing threat these elements posed to the region’s security.
The law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts in Kohat following a surge in violent incidents across the province. The area where the operation took place has been sealed off, and search activities are still underway to ensure no militants remain at large. This operation is part of a broader crackdown aimed at dismantling terrorist networks that have been active in the region.
This latest success comes just a day after the CTD conducted another intelligence-driven raid in the same vicinity, which also resulted in the elimination of six suspected militants. These coordinated actions follow a tragic bombing that occurred on Friday near a police vehicle in the Bettani tribal area of Lakki Marwat, where at least seven police officers lost their lives. Such attacks have heightened the urgency for security forces to act swiftly and decisively.
It is important to note that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces have experienced a notable increase in cross-border terrorist activities, particularly since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The porous border shared with Afghanistan has often been exploited by various militant groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan, complicating the security landscape.
In response to these escalating threats, Pakistan initiated “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq,” a comprehensive military campaign targeting terrorist hideouts and fighters along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and within Afghan territory. Official statements from Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reveal that this operation has resulted in the deaths of at least 663 Afghan Taliban fighters, with over 887 injured. Additionally, the campaign has successfully destroyed 249 checkposts, captured 44 militants, and eliminated 224 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery pieces, significantly degrading militant capabilities.
Airstrikes have played a crucial role in these efforts, with 70 terrorist camps and support infrastructure sites targeted across Afghanistan. The strikes have focused on provinces such as Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost, where militant groups including Fitna al Khawarij and Daesh-Khorasan maintain strongholds. More than 80 militants were reportedly killed in these aerial operations, reflecting Pakistan’s commitment to curbing terrorism beyond its borders.
It is also worth recalling that in October 2025, tensions escalated into direct clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border after unprovoked attacks by the Afghan Taliban and affiliated militants on Pakistani border posts. These confrontations resulted in the deaths of over 200 Taliban fighters and militants, while Pakistan mourned the loss of 23 soldiers who were killed defending the nation’s sovereignty. Despite several rounds of diplomatic talks, efforts to reach a lasting agreement have been hindered by the Afghan Taliban regime’s reluctance to take decisive action against terrorist factions operating from their territory.
As security forces continue their operations in Kohat and other vulnerable areas, the government remains vigilant in its pursuit of peace and stability. The recent successes in counter-terrorism operations demonstrate a firm resolve to protect citizens and dismantle the networks threatening Pakistan’s internal security.
