ISLAMABAD: At least 35 terrorists were killed and 12 Pakistani soldiers martyred during fierce clashes in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said on Saturday.
The operations, carried out between September 10 and 13, took place in Bajaur and South Waziristan districts, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
In Bajaur, security forces launched an intelligence-based operation after reports of terrorist presence. “Troops effectively engaged the location, and after an intense fire exchange, 22 Indian-sponsored Khawarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR said.
In South Waziristan, 13 more terrorists were killed. However, during the heavy exchange of fire, 12 Pakistani soldiers “fought gallantly and embraced Shahadat,” the statement added.
“(An) encounter that took place in South Waziristan District, thirteen more Khwarij were neutralized by the security forces. However, during intense fire exchange, twelve brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat,” it said.
TTP Safe Havens Across Afghan Border
The military said weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants, who were allegedly involved in several attacks in the region. It further said Afghan nationals’ involvement and urged the interim Afghan government to prevent the use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
“Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed the physical involvement of Afghan Nationals in these heinous acts,” the statement added.
“Sanitisation operations are being conducted… the sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve,” the statement said.
Pakistan has consistently called on Afghanistan’s interim authorities to take decisive action against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) safe havens operating from Afghan territory. The TTP’s reliance on cross-border sanctuaries is long-standing.
Before the Taliban takeover of Kabul in August 2021, TTP fighters would routinely flee into Afghanistan to evade Pakistani military operations. Their mobility, however, was restricted by U.S. drone strikes—often carried out in coordination with Pakistani intelligence—which forced the group to remain on the defensive and prevented it from building permanent bases.
The situation shifted after August 15, 2021, when the Afghan Taliban assumed control. Areas that had once been hostile to the TTP reportedly became safe havens, enabling militants to regroup and plan attacks inside Pakistan.
Pakistan has invested heavily in securing its western frontier, including the construction of a 2,590-kilometre-long border fence. Yet, despite these efforts, gaps in terrain and enforcement allow insurgents to attempt infiltration. Officials in Islamabad maintain that eliminating terrorist sanctuaries inside Afghanistan remains essential for regional peace and security.
“Pakistan expects the Interim Afghan Government to uphold its responsibilities and deny use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan,” the military statement said.
