Five terrorists were eliminated during separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted across Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These militants were linked to attacks targeting security personnel and civilians, a senior police official confirmed on Saturday.
Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan stated that the IBOs are ongoing in various locations as a response to the recent attack on the Fateh Khel police checkpoint. Last week, a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) attack, carried out by terrorists affiliated with Fitna al-Khawarij, struck a police check post in Bannu. This assault resulted in the martyrdom of 15 policemen and injuries to four others, including a civilian.
During these operations, law enforcement agencies neutralized five terrorists in Bannu who were involved in assaults against security forces, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), and civilians, the RPO added.
In a significant development following the deadly Fateh Khel attack, Pakistan summoned the Afghan Charge d’Affaires and issued a strong demarche to the Afghan Taliban regime. Pakistan presented evidence from a thorough investigation and technical intelligence indicating that the attack was orchestrated by terrorists based in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
The Foreign Office reiterated Pakistan’s grave concerns over the continued use of Afghan territory for terrorist activities against Pakistan. It emphasized that the Afghan Taliban regime must honor its commitments to prevent militant groups from operating within its borders. Islamabad warned that it would not tolerate any compromise on national security or the safety of its citizens if terrorist groups continue to find refuge across the border.
Since the Afghan Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has experienced a sharp rise in cross-border terrorist incidents, especially in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Islamabad has consistently urged Kabul to stop its soil from being used by terrorist organizations to launch attacks inside Pakistan. However, the Afghan Taliban regime has declined to take action against these groups responsible for numerous attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians.
Earlier this year, Pakistan initiated Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in February, months after both countries agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025. This followed clashes triggered by unprovoked gunfire from the Afghan Taliban regime at multiple border points. Despite several rounds of dialogue, both nations have yet to reach a lasting agreement due to the Afghan Taliban regime’s unwillingness to act against terrorist outfits operating from its territory.
