Rawalpindi, August 12, 2025: Security forces have killed at least three more terrorists in an ongoing sanitisation operation in the Sambaza area along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation took place during the night of August 10 and 11, leading to the recovery of weapons, ammunition, and explosives. The action followed earlier anti-infiltration measures in the region.
Over the past four days, security forces have intercepted multiple infiltration attempts along the border, killing at least 47 militants. With the latest action, the total number of terrorists eliminated has risen to 50.
The ISPR reaffirmed the military’s resolve to safeguard the country’s borders and thwart any attempts to disrupt peace, stability, and development.
The development comes a day after the United States formally designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs)—a move welcomed by Islamabad as a boost to counter-terrorism efforts.
Pakistani security officials have long alleged operational cooperation between the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the BLA, particularly its Majeed Brigade, to escalate attacks inside Pakistan. The latest UN Security Council report backs these claims, stating that both groups maintain “close coordination” in carrying out high-profile, complex attacks.
The TTP and affiliated outfits relocated to sanctuaries in Afghanistan following Operation Zarb-e-Azb in 2014 and have since used them as launch pads for attacks in Pakistan. Balochistan, home to major China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, has frequently been targeted in insurgent violence.
