ISPR Reports Militants Engaged Near Pakistan-Afghanistan Border in North Waziristan
Security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa neutralized eight India-backed militants during an operation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border in North Waziristan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported on Thursday.
The ISPR stated that on April 1, a movement of militants linked to the group Fitna al-Khawarij was detected by security forces. Through a “precise and skillful engagement,” eight militants were killed, and weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site.
“The engagement once again substantiates our repeated stance regarding the failure of the Afghan Taliban regime to ensure effective border management on their side. The Afghan Taliban must fulfill its obligations and prevent the use of Afghan soil by khwarij and involvement of its citizens in terrorism inside Pakistan,” the ISPR said.
The military emphasized its continued commitment to safeguarding Pakistan’s frontiers. “Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji found in the area,” the ISPR added, noting that the counter-terrorism campaign under the operation “Azm-e-Istehkam” will continue at full pace to eliminate foreign-supported terrorism from the country.
Cross-border militant activity has surged since the Afghan Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. In response, Pakistan launched “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq,” during which around 684 Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants were killed. Over 900 operatives were injured, and 252 checkposts were destroyed, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
In October 2025, border clashes erupted after Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants launched unprovoked attacks on Pakistan’s positions. The conflict resulted in over 200 militants killed and 23 Pakistani soldiers martyred.
Despite multiple rounds of negotiations, no breakthrough was achieved, largely due to the Afghan Taliban authorities’ refusal to act against militant groups.
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