Following the Doha Ceasefire Agreement between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban on October 19, Pakistan’s security forces have intensified counterterrorism operations across the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, targeting militant groups identified as Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan.
In the latest operation, security forces conducted a successful intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Sholam area of Wana, the administrative headquarters of South Waziristan, killing at least six terrorists and injuring several others. According to official sources, the operation was carried out on the basis of credible intelligence reports, and the area has since been completely cordoned off by the forces.
Earlier today, two terrorists were apprehended during a security operation in Karachi, while on October 22, six members of Fitna al-Hindustan were eliminated in Dalbandin, Balochistan. A day before that, on October 21, six top commanders of the same network were killed in Zehri, while the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) neutralized five more militants in Sibi.
On the same day, in Bajaur, security personnel killed a militant belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij during a clearance operation, dismantling several of the group’s secret hideouts. A day earlier, on October 20 — just one day after the Doha accord — CTD and Swabi police jointly killed two most-wanted militants linked to the same outfit.
These successes, however, have not come without sacrifice. On October 20, security personnel deployed for the protection of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in Dera Ismail Khan repelled a terrorist attack, embracing four martyrs and leaving 11 others injured. Hours earlier, an attack on the Bakka Khel police station had also been successfully foiled.
The series of successful counterterrorism operations underscores the resolve of Pakistan’s security forces to eradicate all threats to national peace and stability. Officials have reiterated that such actions will continue until the last remaining elements of militancy are eliminated.
