MIANWALI, Pakistan: Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies on Monday killed at least 10 terrorists of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during an intelligence-based operation in the Makarwal area of Punjab’s Mianwali district, local police said.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), in collaboration with Mianwali police, launched the operation following a tip-off about the presence of terrorists allegedly planning a major terrorist attack in the region, police said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the Punjab police said that the 10 terrorists were shot dead in the exchange of fire, while several others sustained injuries.
A local resident was also wounded after being caught in the crossfire. He was shifted to a nearby hospital where doctors confirmed he had suffered a gunshot wound to the leg.
The joint operation was carried out under the supervision of Regional Police Officer Muhammad Shahzad Asif Khan and District Police Officer Akhtar Farooq. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the action.
The police said a search operation is ongoing to locate any remaining terrorists who may have fled the scene.
Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar congratulated the CTD and Mianwali police on what he described as a “brilliant success” against terrorism.
“The Punjab police are on high alert. The nefarious plans of terrorists will be crushed,” he said in a statement.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called the operation a major achievement.
“I am proud of the bravery shown by our security forces. They have thwarted the evil intentions of the Khawarij terrorists,” he said, using the term employed by the state to describe the banned TTP.
“The entire team deserves congratulations for eliminating more than 10 terrorists.”
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks over the past year, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
In response, security forces have ramped up counterterrorism operations across the country.
In March, terrorist violence significantly increased, with over 100 reported attacks — the highest monthly figure since November 2014 — according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).
Pakistan was also ranked second in the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with terrorism-related fatalities increasing by 45 percent over the past year to 1,081.
