On 28 June 2026, security forces conducted a successful intelligence-based operation (IBO) against a group of Khawarij in the Bajaur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, close to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The operation was launched on the basis of credible intelligence regarding the presence of Khawarij belonging to the Indian proxy Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. During the ensuing engagement, security
(Irfan Khan) For decades, Pakistan has remained on the front line of the global struggle against terrorism. Yet the nature of this conflict has continued to evolve. What was once a conventional security challenge has transformed into a complex battlefield involving violent extremism, technology-driven attacks, political narratives, and information warfare. Today, the provinces of Khyber
The New Playbook of Terror: Why Old Answers May Not Defeat New Threats? Read More »
For years, Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy was judged primarily by how effectively it responded after an attack. That paradigm is now changing. The latest wave of intelligence-based operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan demonstrates that the country’s security apparatus is steadily transitioning from a reactive posture to a preventive one. The objective is no longer simply to
(Arif Yousafzai) For nearly two decades, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has remained the frontline of Pakistan’s battle against terrorism. It has witnessed military operations, large-scale displacement of local communities, the rebuilding of institutions, and countless sacrifices by civilians, tribal elders, police officers, soldiers, journalists, and political workers. The province has repeatedly demonstrated remarkable resilience in overcoming violent
(Fida Adeel) Pakistan stands at a defining moment in its internal security landscape. While global attention often shifts between regional conflicts, geopolitical rivalries, and economic uncertainty, two provinces continue to occupy the center of Pakistan’s national security discourse: Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The challenges confronting these regions are neither new nor simple. They involve a
Why Are Gwadar and Balochistan Under Attack Just When They Are Beginning to Change? Read More »
The recent intelligence-based operations in Wana and Dir once again demonstrated the professionalism, reach and effectiveness of Pakistan’s security forces. The elimination of terrorists in these operations is an important achievement, but it would be a mistake to view these incidents in isolation. If we are serious about understanding the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
(Zahir Shah Sherazi) The security situation across Pakistan’s tribal belt and the adjoining regions of Afghanistan is once again entering a critical and deeply unsettling phase. The targeted killings of tribal elders, jirga members, and local community influencers in Pakistan’s merged districts are not isolated incidents of violence. They represent a deliberate and calculated strategy
(Arshad Aziz Malik) Pakistan today stands at a critical security crossroads. The country faces a complex and evolving threat environment that extends far beyond isolated terrorist incidents. From the rugged mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to the diplomatic corridors of Moscow, Kabul, Beijing, and Washington, the security equation has become deeply interconnected. Recent successful
The Afghan Puzzle: Russia’s Move, Taliban’s Future and Pakistan’s Security Test Read More »
For the last several years, discussions about security in Pakistan have often focused on individual attacks, isolated incidents or temporary crises. However, what we are witnessing today in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is part of a much larger and more complex picture. If we continue to view every attack as a standalone event, we will
Security, Technology and Public Trust: The Three Battles Pakistan Must Win Read More »
(Shamim Shahid) The security landscape of Pakistan’s northwestern frontier is undergoing a dangerous transformation. What was once a conflict characterized by roadside bombs, ambushes and sporadic attacks has now entered a new and more alarming phase. The recent use of drones by terrorist groups in Bannu and Lakki Marwat is a stark reminder that militancy
