In a significant counterterrorism move, Pakistan’s security forces killed seven terrorists—including three Afghan nationals—during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The operation was launched based on confirmed intelligence about the presence of militants described as “khawarij,” a term officially used to identify terrorists linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, confirmed the operation in a statement issued on Friday. It reported that the security personnel effectively targeted the terrorists’ hideout, eliminating seven militants, including two suicide bombers. The statement also labelled the individuals as “Indian-sponsored khawarij,” reinforcing Pakistan’s long-standing allegation that hostile intelligence agencies, particularly India’s RAW, are backing terrorism in the country.
Pakistan Blames External Forces Amid Regional Tensions
The ISPR highlighted that three of the slain militants were Afghan nationals, raising further concerns about the use of Afghan soil for cross-border terrorism. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the interim Afghan Taliban government of allowing terrorist groups, particularly the TTP, to operate from sanctuaries within Afghanistan.
“The government of Pakistan expects the interim Afghan government to honour its commitments and prevent the use of Afghan territory for attacks against Pakistan,” the statement read.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated in recent months, with Islamabad formally warning the UN Security Council earlier this week that terrorist groups based in Afghanistan pose the most significant threat to Pakistan’s national security. Kabul, however, continues to deny the allegations.
Recent Spike in Terror Attacks in KP and Balochistan
The DI Khan operation follows a string of anti-terror raids conducted by Pakistani forces in recent weeks. Earlier this week, the ISPR reported the killing of 31 terrorists in two separate operations in Lakki Marwat and Bannu, both located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to the military’s media wing, the engagements on September 13-14 targeted militants from the so-called “Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij”. The term “Fitna al Khwarij” is used to refer to anti-state militant groups like the TTP, while “Fitna al Hindustan” refers to Balochistan-based separatist factions, which Pakistan accuses India of supporting.
Pakistan has been experiencing a renewed wave of terrorist activity since the TTP ended a ceasefire in November 2022 and vowed to escalate attacks against law enforcement and military targets. The rise in attacks has mainly affected the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where security forces have been carrying out intensified operations to neutralise the threat.
