Security forces eliminated two terrorists, including a “high value target,” during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Timergara area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lower Dir district, the military’s media wing, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), reported on Friday.
The ISPR stated that the IBO was conducted based on intelligence regarding the presence of “khawarij” (terrorists).
“During the operation, own troops surrounded and effectively engaged the Khawarij location, and after an intense exchange of fire, two Khawarij, including a high value target, Kharji Hafeezullah alias Kochwan, were sent to hell,” a concise statement issued by the ISPR read.
The armed forces’ media wing specified that Hafeezullah was implicated in numerous terrorist activities targeting security forces as well as innocent civilians.
“He was highly wanted by law enforcement agencies, and the government had placed a head money of Rs10 million on him,” it added.
The ISPR further mentioned that a sanitization operation was underway to eliminate any remaining terrorists in the area, emphasizing that “the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for their successful operation in Lower Dir, which resulted in the neutralization of terrorists.
In a statement, the Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to thwart the nefarious designs of the enemies of humanity, asserting that the fight against terrorism would continue until the complete eradication of this menace from the country.
The issue of terrorism remains a significant concern for Pakistan, which has long urged Afghanistan to prevent terrorists from using its territory. However, terrorists continue to infiltrate Pakistan’s territory across the border and conduct cross-border attacks.
The two nations share a porous border stretching approximately 2,500 kilometers with several crossing points that are crucial for regional trade and relations between people on both sides.
Islamabad’s concerns have been corroborated by a report submitted to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, revealing a nexus between Kabul and the TTP, with the former providing logistical, operational, and financial support to the latter.
Last month, at least 16 terrorists were killed by security forces while attempting to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan in the general area of Ghulam Khan Kallay in North Waziristan district.
Security forces detected a group of terrorists attempting to cross the Afghan border in North Waziristan’s Ghulam Khan Kallay area.
The country experienced a sharp surge of 42% in terror attacks in January 2025 compared to the previous month, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a think tank.
The data indicated that at least 74 militant attacks were recorded nationwide, resulting in 91 fatalities, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. An additional 117 individuals sustained injuries, including 53 security forces personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) remained the worst-affected province, followed by Balochistan. In KP’s settled districts, militants carried out 27 attacks, resulting in 19 fatalities, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.
The tribal districts of KP (erstwhile FATA) witnessed 19 attacks, leading to 46 deaths, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.
