In a major counter-terrorism success, Pakistan’s armed forces carried out a swift and lethal ambush operation in the Hassan Khel sector of Shawal Valley, near the Afghanistan border, neutralising a large group of khawarij attempting to infiltrate Pakistani territory.
According to official sources, the operation was launched based on credible intelligence indicating that a group affiliated with Fitna Al-Khawarij (FAK), a term used for terrorist insurgents including factions linked to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was preparing to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan. The infiltration attempt reportedly occurred during the early hours when the group tried to breach the international border by cutting through the security fence.
Pakistan Army units, already in position, executed a well-coordinated ambush as khawarij entered Pakistani territory. Intense engagement followed, resulting in the elimination of an estimated 25 to 30 khawarij, with several others reportedly injured in the exchange.
A follow-up sanitization and clearance operation is currently underway to track and neutralise any remaining elements who may have dispersed during the firefight.
Security analysts have pointed to the Shawal Valley, located in the rugged border region between North Waziristan and Afghanistan, as a key infiltration route historically used by TTP and allied factions. Today’s operation reflects both improved intelligence capabilities and a firm resolve by Pakistan’s military to prevent further cross-border attacks.
This operation also underscores ongoing concerns about terrorist safe havens in Afghanistan, and the continuing threat posed by armed groups exploiting the porous border to carry out violent incursions into Pakistan.
