Pak-Afghan Border
Security forces successfully intercepted and eliminated six terrorists attempting to infiltrate Pakistan from the Afghanistan border in Balochistan’s Zhob district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The incident occurred on the night of January 22-23 in the Sambaza area of the district, the military’s media wing reported on Thursday.
In its statement, the ISPR detailed how security personnel engaged the militants and thwarted their infiltration attempt. “Own troops effectively engaged and thwarted their [terrorists’] attempt to infiltrate.
Resultantly, six khwarij [terrorists] were sent to hell,” the statement read. Additionally, a significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was recovered from the site.
The ISPR also highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to address cross-border terrorism and reiterated its demand for the interim Afghan government, led by the Taliban, to enforce better border management.
The statement urged the Taliban administration to fulfill its commitments and prevent Afghan soil from being used by terrorists for attacks against Pakistan. “Security Forces of Pakistan remain committed to securing its borders and eliminating the menace of terrorism from the country,” the ISPR affirmed.
The infiltration attempt comes amid a broader surge in violence in Pakistan, particularly in the border regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The uptick in militant activity has been a pressing concern since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
The scale of violence in 2024 has been unprecedented, as highlighted by the “CRSS Annual Security Report 2024” issued by the Centre for Security and Strategic Studies.
According to the report, Pakistan witnessed 444 terror attacks and suffered 685 fatalities among its civil and military security forces, making it the deadliest year in over a decade.
The report further revealed that cumulative civilian and security personnel fatalities reached 1,612, marking a 73% increase compared to the previous year.
The overall death toll in 2024 stood at 2,546, with an additional 2,267 injuries resulting from 1,166 incidents of terrorism and counter-terror operations. November emerged as the deadliest month of the year.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bore the brunt of the violence, recording 1,616 fatalities, followed by Balochistan with 782 fatalities. The surge in militant activity and counter-terror operations has underscored the severe challenges faced by Pakistan in maintaining security along its borders and within its provinces.
This latest incident reflects the ongoing and determined efforts by Pakistan’s security forces to counter the rising threat of terrorism while highlighting the critical need for regional cooperation to address cross-border militancy effectively.
