North Waziristan operation by Pakistani security forces left five India-backed terrorists dead and two others injured on Tuesday. The action targeted militant hideouts in the district and surrounding areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to security sources.
Forces remain fully committed to eliminating terrorism and restoring lasting peace in the region, the sources said. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both praised the troops for the successful strike. The president noted that effective operations are playing a vital role in thwarting the designs of terrorist elements and vowed that action against Fitna al-Khawarij would continue until the threat is completely removed. The prime minister echoed the same resolve, stating that security forces had taken decisive steps and would keep up the pressure until terrorism is eradicated.
The latest success follows a series of recent operations in the province. A day earlier, three Fitna al-Khawarij militants were killed in an intelligence-based operation in Dera Ismail Khan. The day before that, eight militants, including three key commanders, were eliminated in the same district under the Azm-e-Istehkam framework.
Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in cross-border militant incidents, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021. September 2026 recorded the highest monthly number of militant attacks in 12 years. Data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies showed 225 attacks nationwide, a 13 percent increase from August and the third consecutive monthly rise.
Islamabad has repeatedly asked Kabul to stop its territory from being used by groups that launch attacks inside Pakistan. Pakistani officials maintain that the Afghan authorities have not taken effective steps against these organisations, a claim Kabul rejects. Despite several rounds of talks, the two sides have yet to resolve the issue.
Security officials say the current campaign will continue without pause. With the latest North Waziristan operation adding to a string of successes, the government and military leadership have reaffirmed their determination to clear the area of militant presence and protect both security personnel and civilians.
