In a series of successful counter-terrorism operations on Saturday, the Pakistani military reported the elimination of 30 terrorists across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The operations targeted three key districts: Lakki Marwat, Karak, and Khyber.
According to the military statement, 18 terrorists were killed in Lakki Marwat, while 8 were neutralized in Karak. Additionally, 6 terrorists were injured during the clash in Lakki Marwat. In the Khyber district’s Bagh area, security forces gunned down four more militants, including two prominent leaders—Aziz ur Rehman, also known as Qari Ismail, and Mukhlis. Two other terrorists were reported injured in the encounter.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered during the operations, further weakening the terrorist groups in the region. The military’s swift action was hailed by national leaders. President Asif Ali Zardari commended the armed forces for their success, describing the elimination of 30 terrorists as a significant achievement. He assured that operations will continue until terrorism is fully eradicated from the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed strong support for the military, reiterating the nation’s commitment to stamping out terrorism in all its forms.
The operations come as part of Pakistan’s intensified efforts against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has grown more active since the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The TTP, a close ally of the Afghan Taliban, has been behind several attacks in recent months, prompting the Pakistani military to step up intelligence-based operations.
Earlier this month, on January 17, five terrorists were killed in an operation in Khyber district’s Tirah area. The ongoing campaign against terrorism in Pakistan has been prompted by a marked increase in attacks and fatalities, with 2024 being the deadliest year for both civilian and military forces in over a decade.
According to the “CRSS Annual Security Report 2024,” Pakistan faced 685 fatalities and 444 terror attacks in 2024, a 73% increase compared to 2023. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa suffered the highest losses, with 1,616 fatalities, while Balochistan recorded 782 deaths. The violence left a total of 2,546 fatalities across the country, with more than 2,200 others injured.
The year’s highest number of fatalities occurred in November, with nearly seven people dying daily due to terrorist incidents and counter-terrorism operations. The violence underscores the urgent need for continued military and civilian efforts to address the growing security challenges faced by Pakistan.
