Rawalpindi, October 10, 2025: Thirty terrorists linked to this week’s deadly attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Orakzai district, in which 11 security personnel, including two officers, were martyred, were killed in a series of retaliatory operations, the military’s media wing said on Friday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were launched to avenge the Orakzai attack that took place on Tuesday night, when security forces had conducted an intelligence-based operation against militants described as “Indian proxy Fitna Al Khawarij.”
In July, the government formally designated the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as Fitna al Khawarij, instructing all institutions to use the term when referring to perpetrators of terrorist attacks.
During Tuesday’s initial operation, 19 militants were killed, while 11 soldiers — including Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Tariq and Major Tayyab Rahat — embraced martyrdom. The ISPR said follow-up operations were launched in the Jamal Maya area of Orakzai based on credible intelligence.
“Security forces have conducted a series of retribution operations against the khawarij involved in the heinous incident,” the statement said. “All 30 India-sponsored terrorists involved have been eliminated after an intense exchange of fire.”
The military added that sanitisation operations are continuing to ensure no militants remain in the area, reaffirming its determination “to eradicate the menace of India-sponsored terrorism from Pakistan.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces’ sacrifices, saying that they were “safeguarding the motherland against the enemy by risking their lives.” He reiterated the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country.
President Asif Ali Zardari also lauded the forces’ “courageous” action, noting that the nation would forever honour the sacrifices of Lieutenant Colonel Tariq and Major Rahat. “The brave sons of the soil have written history with their sacrifices for Pakistan’s protection,” he said.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the security personnel, saying, “We will not let the terrorists of Fitna Al Khawarij hide anywhere in Pakistan.”
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in terrorist attacks this year, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, targeting police and security personnel. The surge began after the banned TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in 2022.
A day after the Orakzai attack, a major was martyred and seven terrorists were killed in another intelligence-based operation in Dera Ismail Khan. Last month, 19 soldiers lost their lives in a series of attacks across KP.
In response, the military’s top commanders, at the 272nd Corps Commanders’ Conference earlier this week, reaffirmed their commitment to pursue “comprehensive counterterrorism operations” to dismantle networks of “Indian-sponsored terror proxies,” including Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, during a federal cabinet meeting, vowed to take “decisive measures” against cross-border terrorism. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif echoed this stance in the National Assembly, declaring that “enough is enough” and warning that facilitators of terrorism “will be pursued wherever they are — in Pakistan or across the border.”
