In a significant development in Pakistan’s ongoing fight against terrorism, security forces successfully neutralized 10 terrorists sponsored by India in an operation conducted in Zhob district of Balochistan on February 25. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released a statement on Thursday confirming the outcome of the operation, highlighting the continued resolve of Pakistan’s security apparatus to eradicate foreign-backed militancy from its soil.
The operation followed an intelligence-based operation (IBO) carried out in Zhob on February 24, which resulted in the elimination of eight militants linked to Indian support networks. Building on this success, security forces launched a comprehensive area sanitization campaign the very next day, aimed at tracking down and dismantling the remaining elements of the Khwarij faction, identified as the Indian proxy group Fitna al Khwarij. This group has been actively involved in orchestrating terrorist activities within the region, posing a serious threat to local stability and security.
During the operation, security personnel meticulously pursued militants across multiple routes, engaging their hideouts with precision. The ensuing firefight led to the death of 10 terrorists, described in the ISPR statement as being “sent to hell,” a phrase underscoring the decisive nature of the encounter. In addition to neutralizing the militants, the forces recovered a significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, which were reportedly being used to carry out violent attacks in the area.
These sanitization efforts form part of a broader counterterrorism campaign under the banner of “Azm-e-Istehkam,” a vision endorsed by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. This initiative represents Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to eliminating all forms of terrorism, especially those fueled and supported by foreign entities. The campaign continues at full intensity, with security forces and law enforcement agencies working in unison to rid the country of these destabilizing elements.
It is important to place this operation within the larger context of regional security dynamics. Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in cross-border terrorist activities, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, which share a porous border with Afghanistan. These provinces have become hotspots for militant infiltration and attacks, complicating Pakistan’s internal security landscape.
In response to escalating threats, Pakistan recently conducted intelligence-driven airstrikes targeting seven terrorist camps and hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. These strikes, carried out last Saturday in the Afghan provinces of Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost, targeted Fitna al Khwarij (FAK), its affiliates, and Daesh-Khorasan operatives. The strikes reportedly eliminated over 80 militants, delivering a heavy blow to terrorist infrastructure in the region.
The tense security situation along the border is further exacerbated by past clashes between Pakistani forces and militants. In October 2025, Pakistan and Afghanistan experienced violent border confrontations after unprovoked attacks by the Afghan Taliban and allied militants on Pakistani border posts. These 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, efforts to reach a lasting agreement have been hampered by the Afghan Taliban regime’s reluctance to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.
As Pakistan continues its relentless campaign against terrorism, operations like the recent one in Zhob underscore the challenges posed by foreign-sponsored militancy and the determination of Pakistani security forces to safeguard national sovereignty. The ongoing efforts reflect a broader strategy to stabilize the region and prevent further infiltration by hostile elements, ensuring peace and security for the people of Balochistan and the country at large.
