Eight militants killed in North Waziristan border operation

Security forces neutralised eight India-sponsored terrorists during an operation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.

According to the military’s media wing, security forces detected the movement of a group of militants, referred to as Fitna al-Khawarij, on April 1. Acting on intelligence, troops engaged the group in a precise and coordinated operation.The ISPR stated that “eight terrorists were gunned down as a result of a precise and skillful engagement,” adding that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the site.

The military reiterated its stance that the Afghan Taliban administration has failed to ensure effective border management on its side. It urged Afghan authorities to fulfil their obligations and prevent the use of their territory for terrorist activities against Pakistan.“Pakistan’s security forces remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the country’s frontiers,” the ISPR said, adding that sanitisation operations are ongoing to eliminate any remaining militants in the area.

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The statement further noted that the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” vision will continue at full pace to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism.Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in cross-border militant activity since the Afghan Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

In response, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, during which around 684 Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants were reportedly killed, while more than 900 were injured and 252 checkposts destroyed, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

Tensions between the two countries escalated further in October 2025, when cross-border clashes resulted in the deaths of over 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated militants, while 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred.Despite multiple rounds of talks, both sides have yet to reach a breakthrough, largely due to the Afghan Taliban’s reluctance to act against militant groups operating from its territory.