A series of intelligence-based operations across the country has dealt a crippling blow to the terrorist group known as Fitnah al-Khawarij, with key commanders eliminated, cross-border supply lines disrupted, and safe havens systematically dismantled. One notable operation saw the elimination of 71 khawarij in a single day, hailed as a major strategic victory.
According to security sources, these recent successes owe much to the increasing cooperation between security forces and local peace committees. Public support has surged, reinforcing the legitimacy and momentum of the campaign against khawarij who once operated with impunity.
Now weakened and fractured, the Khawarij are reportedly on the defensive, lacking manpower, resources, and operational mobility. In desperation, they have resorted to using civilian populations as human shields, hiding in residential areas, mosques, and public spaces to launch attacks, fully aware that Pakistan’s armed forces avoid civilian casualties.
This cowardly tactic has led to several tragic incidents. In Lakki Marwat’s Machan Khel area, khawarij attacked security forces from within civilian homes on two occasions. Despite taking casualties, security personnel avoided retaliating within residential zones to protect civilians. Similar incidents have been reported from Tirah Valley, Mir Ali, and Tank.
In one such incident in Tank, a mortar fired by khawarij struck a mosque, killing three members of the Tablighi Jamaat. In another case in Khaisoor, a mortar during an attack on security forces landed on a home, injuring several women. Pro-khawarij and foreign-linked social media accounts misrepresented both incidents as drone strikes, fuelling misinformation and undermining public trust.
Residents, however, confirmed that the damage in both cases resulted from khawarij fire, not government operations.
These events underline a dangerous new pattern: as khawarij lose ground, they are intensifying psychological and media warfare, weaponizing propaganda and civilian suffering to weaken national resolve.
Security experts stress that this is a shared battle. “This is not just the military’s war; it’s Pakistan’s war,” one official stated. “The loss is collective, and so must be the response.”
Citizens are being urged to remain vigilant, support security forces, and join community-level initiatives to identify and isolate terrorist elements. Only through collective unity, the message echoes, can the nation eradicate this lingering threat.
