Islamabad, Pakistan (Agencies): Pakistani security forces killed 54 militants attempting to infiltrate the country from Afghanistan, marking one of the deadliest operations in recent years, the military reported on Sunday. The insurgents were intercepted and neutralized near North Waziristan, a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban, along the Afghan border.
According to intelligence reports, the militants, referred to as “Khwarij” by the government—a term used for the Pakistani Taliban (TTP)—were reportedly dispatched by “foreign masters” to execute high-profile attacks within Pakistan. The military has not directly blamed any specific entity for orchestrating the infiltration attempt.
“This is the first time during the ongoing operations against terrorists that Pakistani forces killed terrorists in such a high number in a single day,” said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. He lauded the forces for their swift and effective action, which foiled potential attacks on Pakistani soil.
The incident occurs amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and its neighbors. Recently, India accused Pakistan of being involved in an attack on tourists in Kashmir, allegations Islamabad has denied. Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tatar suggested that such claims were intended to divert attention from Pakistan’s counter-terrorism focus in its western regions. He further alleged, without naming specifics, that there was evidence linking India to support for militant groups like the TTP and the Baloch Liberation Army.
In the aftermath, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated security forces on the successful operation. They reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism and safeguarding national security.
The region has witnessed a resurgence of violence in recent months, much of it attributed to the Pakistani Taliban, a group allied with the Afghan Taliban. Since the latter seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, many TTP leaders and fighters have taken refuge there, complicating border security for Pakistan.
The military stated that this operation reflects its resolve to eliminate threats to Pakistan’s stability, as investigations into the infiltration attempt and its connections to international networks continue.