Rawalpindi, March 23, 2025: At least 16 terrorists were killed by security forces while attempting to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan in the Ghulam Khan Kallay area of North Waziristan, the military’s media wing reported on Thursday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces detected the group trying to infiltrate and swiftly engaged them. “Our troops effectively engaged the terrorists and thwarted their attempt. After an intense exchange of fire, all 16 Khwarij [terrorists] were eliminated,” the ISPR stated, using the term referring to members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The military reiterated Pakistan’s consistent calls for the interim Afghan government to ensure effective border management on its side. “The interim Afghan government is expected to fulfill its obligations and prevent the use of Afghan soil by Khwarij for terrorist activities against Pakistan,” the statement added.
The ISPR reaffirmed the security forces’ commitment to protecting Pakistan’s borders and eradicating terrorism.
Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 2,500-kilometer-long porous border with multiple key crossing points, crucial for trade and people-to-people exchanges. However, Islamabad remains concerned over cross-border terrorism, urging Kabul to take action against groups like the TTP.
These concerns have been substantiated by a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) report from the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which highlighted the TTP’s logistical, operational, and financial support from Kabul.
In a similar incident in January, security forces killed six terrorists attempting to infiltrate from Afghanistan into Zhob district, Balochistan. The military reported that the militants were intercepted and neutralized in the Sambaza area on the night of January 22-23.
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in terrorist attacks, with a 42% surge in January 2025 compared to the previous month, according to data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). The think tank recorded 74 militant attacks nationwide, resulting in 91 fatalities, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Additionally, 117 individuals sustained injuries, including 53 security personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) remains the most affected province, followed by Balochistan. In KP’s settled districts, militants carried out 27 attacks, leading to 19 deaths, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants. Meanwhile, the tribal districts (erstwhile FATA) witnessed 19 attacks, resulting in 46 fatalities, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.
The escalating threat underscores the need for enhanced border security and stronger counterterrorism measures.
