Security forces kill 11 Indian-backed terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, says ISPR

Security forces have killed 11 terrorists belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), an intelligence based operation was conducted by the security forces in North Waziristan district. During the operation, the troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, six Khwarij were killed.

Another joint intelligence based operation by police and security forces was conducted in Kurram district. In ensuing fire exchange, five Khwarij were effectively neutralised.

READ MORE: Four police personnel martyred in separate terrorist attacks in Bannu, Lakki Marwat

The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the Indian sponsored Khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces, law enforcement agencies and target killing of innocent civilians. It also said that both these IBOs were conducted on Thursday.

Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored Kharji in the area, says ISPR.

President, PM reaffirm commitment against terrorism

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have commended security forces for successful operations against Fitna al-Khawarij in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In their separate messages, they reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment against terrorism. 

President Zardari said the role of security forces and law enforcement agencies in protecting the lives and property of the people is commendable.

Shehbaz said the armed forces and the police are engaged day and night in the fight against anti-state elements. He said the enemy cannot dare to cast an evil eye on Pakistan in the presence of our brave and resolute officers and soldiers.

The prime minister said the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in their unwavering resolve to protect the homeland.

A Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) annual security report has revealed that with an almost 34% surge in overall violence, 2025 went by as the most violent year for Pakistan in a decade. “The country has suffered a sustained escalation in violence for five consecutive years since 2021, coinciding with the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan; with almost 38% in 2021, over 15% in 2022, 56% in 2023, nearly 67% in 2024, and 34% in 2025,” it said.

2025 marked another grim year for Pakistan’s security landscape, it said, adding that as many as 3417 violence-linked fatalities and 2134 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws resulted from 1272 incidents of violence — terrorist attacks and counter-terrorism operations.

The comparative data for 2024 and 2025 reveals a sharp escalation in terrorism and counter-terrorism linked violence nationwide, with fatalities rising from 2555 in 2024 to 3417 in 2025, marking an increase of 862 deaths, or a roughly 34% year-on-year surge in violence.

The most significant surge in violence was recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the fatalities rose from 1620 in 2024 to 2331 in 2025, an absolute increase of 711 deaths, accounting for over 82% of the net national rise and marking almost a 44% year-on-year surge in violence in the province.

Four police personnel, including a traffic police in-charge, were martyred in two separate firing incidents by unidentified terrorists in Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last week.