In a significant counter-terrorism operation conducted in the Shagayi area of Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security forces successfully neutralized six terrorists after they opened fire on a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) team. The encounter unfolded when the terrorists, upon spotting the police unit, immediately initiated gunfire, prompting a swift and sustained retaliatory response from the CTD personnel. This intense exchange of fire lasted for approximately 40 minutes before the area was secured.
Following the gunbattle, security officials carried out a thorough search of the site, where the bodies of six militants were recovered. Authorities have since begun the process of identifying the deceased individuals to ascertain their affiliations and backgrounds. The CTD also seized a substantial cache of weaponry and explosives from the terrorists, including four Kalashnikov rifles, two pistols, eight hand grenades, and an improvised explosive device (IED), underscoring the militants’ preparedness for violent acts.
Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, Zulfiqar Hameed, along with the Additional Inspector General of CTD, commended the bravery and professionalism displayed by the security personnel involved in the operation. IGP Hameed vowed to continue pursuing terrorists relentlessly, stating, “We will track down these militants to their hideouts and ensure they face justice.” He further emphasized the resolve of law enforcement agencies by declaring, “The sacrifices made by our martyrs will not be in vain; we are determined to defeat all enemies of peace and stability in the region.”
This operation comes amid a noticeable surge in cross-border terrorist activities following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which share extensive borders with Afghanistan, have witnessed increased militant incursions and attacks, posing a serious challenge to Pakistan’s internal security. In response, Pakistan launched “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq,” a large-scale military campaign aimed at dismantling terrorist networks operating along the border and within Afghan territory.
As part of this operation, Pakistani forces have reportedly eliminated over 650 Afghan Taliban fighters through targeted strikes. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar highlighted the impact of these efforts, noting that more than 855 militants have been injured, 243 militant checkposts destroyed, and 42 fighters captured. Additionally, the campaign has resulted in the destruction of 219 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery pieces, significantly degrading the operational capabilities of hostile groups.
Prior to these developments, Pakistan also conducted precision airstrikes against terrorist camps affiliated with Fitna al-Khawarij (FAK), Daesh-Khorasan, and other extremist factions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. These strikes targeted hideouts in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces, reportedly killing over 80 militants. These actions were taken in retaliation for recent suicide attacks within Pakistan, reflecting Islamabad’s commitment to curbing terrorism at its source.
It is important to recall that tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated sharply in October 2025, when Afghan Taliban forces and allied militants launched unprovoked assaults on Pakistani border posts. The ensuing clashes resulted in the deaths of more than 200 Taliban and affiliated militants, while Pakistan mourned the loss of 23 soldiers who were killed defending the country’s frontiers. Despite multiple rounds of diplomatic talks aimed at resolving these border disputes, efforts have been stymied by the Afghan Taliban regime’s reluctance to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating from their territory.
As security forces continue their operations in volatile border regions, the recent success in Lakki Marwat serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges Pakistan faces in maintaining peace and security. The government and military remain committed to intensifying their efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and safeguard the nation from the persistent threat of militancy.
