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34 ‘India-Backed’ Terrorists Killed in Major Counterterrorism Operations Across KP: ISPR
Security forces eliminate 34 “India-backed” terrorists in North & South Waziristan and Bannu under Operation Azm-i-Istehkam. PM Shehbaz and President Zardari hail troops’ bravery and resolve.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-10-16
34 ‘India-Backed’ Terrorists Killed in Major Counterterrorism Operations Across KP: ISPR

Security forces have killed 34 “India-backed” terrorists during a series of counterterrorism operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) over the past three days, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.

According to the ISPR statement, “From October 13 to 15, thirty-four khawarij belonging to Indian-proxy Fitna-al-Khawarij were killed in multiple engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.” The term “Fitna-al-Khawarij” is used by the state for militants associated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The operations were conducted under Azm-i-Istehkam, a renewed nationwide counterterrorism campaign approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan (NAP).

Multiple Operations Across KP

The ISPR said the first intelligence-based operation (IBO) was carried out in the Spinwam area of North Waziristan, where 18 terrorists were killed after a fierce exchange of fire.

A second operation in South Waziristan led to the elimination of eight more terrorists, while another engagement in the Bannu district saw security forces neutralising an additional eight militants.

“Sanitisation operations are being conducted in these areas to eliminate any remaining Indian-sponsored khawarij,” the statement added.

The ISPR reiterated that Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies “remain fully committed to eradicating the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.”

National Leaders Praise Security Forces

President Asif Ali Zardari commended the armed forces for their “timely actions” in restoring peace and stability. “The successful operations have significantly improved the security situation in the country,” he said in a statement.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to the troops, lauding their “professional expertise” in thwarting terrorist plots. “The counterterrorism campaign will continue with full vigour until the complete eradication of terrorism,” he vowed.

Rising Threat and Regional Context

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks, particularly in KP and Balochistan, since the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. The group has since intensified assaults on security personnel and law enforcement agencies.

Last week, ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry revealed that as of September 15, 2025, security forces conducted 10,115 operations nationwide, killing 970 terrorists. However, 311 Pakistan Army personnel were martyred during the same period.

In 2024, over 14,500 intelligence-based operations were carried out in KP alone, eliminating 769 terrorists, including 58 Afghan nationals. The operations also claimed the lives of 272 military and FC personnel, 140 policemen, and 165 civilians.

Lt Gen Chaudhry attributed the rise in terrorism to the non-implementation of the NAP, political interference in counterterrorism efforts, and India’s alleged use of Afghan territory to fund and arm anti-Pakistan groups.

Earlier this month, on October 8, security forces neutralised 19 “Indian-sponsored terrorists” in KP’s Orakzai district, though 11 soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel and a major, were martyred in that operation.

Continuing Operation Azm-i-Istehkam

The ISPR reaffirmed that Operation Azm-i-Istehkam would continue “at full pace” to eliminate terrorism and secure Pakistan’s borders. The military said it remains determined to ensure peace through coordinated actions between the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and civilian law enforcement.
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