MALAKAND – In a major counterterrorism breakthrough, at least nine Indian-sponsored terrorists were killed and eight arrested during a days-long intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Malakand district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed on Sunday.
According to the military’s media wing, the joint operation, which lasted from July 16 to 20, was launched after reports of the presence of “Fitna al-Khawarij” elements in the region. The action was carried out by security forces in coordination with the police, Levies, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and Malakand district administration.
Security forces effectively surrounded and engaged the terrorists’ location, leading to intense fire exchanges that resulted in the neutralisation of nine militants. Eight others were apprehended alive.
In addition to eliminating the threat, two terrorist hideouts were destroyed and a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives was recovered from the scene. A subsequent sanitisation operation was conducted to clear the area of any remaining threats.
“The locals appreciated the operation and expressed full support for the state’s counterterrorism efforts,” the ISPR statement added.
The military reiterated its resolve to eradicate terrorism, particularly that sponsored by India, from Pakistan’s soil.
Top Leadership Praises Security Forces
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and district administration for their coordinated and successful effort.
President Zardari stated that the entire nation stands united in the fight against terrorism, vowing that the state would continue its mission with full force. He emphasized that those behind the so-called “Fitna al-Hindustan” would be brought to justice.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the operation a shining example of institutional cooperation and reiterated his government’s commitment to uprooting terrorism from all parts of the country.
Spike in Terror Activity Despite Regional Pressures
The joint operation comes amid a continued rise in militant violence in Pakistan, particularly in KP and Balochistan, since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), May 2025 witnessed a 5% rise in militant attacks, with 85 recorded incidents compared to 81 in April.
The attacks resulted in 113 deaths — including 52 security personnel and 46 civilians — and 182 injuries. Civilian injuries jumped by 145%, while fatalities among security forces surged by 73%, underscoring the high cost of militant violence on both security apparatus and the public.
However, security operations conducted during the same period led to the elimination of at least 59 militants, demonstrating the state’s active response to emerging threats.
