On Wednesday, the Pakistan Army firmly denied “unfounded and misleading” claims made against its security forces regarding a recent incident in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, which resulted in civilian casualties.
A statement released by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, clarified that the tragic event on May 19, leading to the loss of civilian lives, has been falsely attributed to Pakistan’s security forces by certain elements. “These allegations are completely baseless and form part of a coordinated disinformation campaign designed to undermine the security forces’ unwavering commitment to ongoing counterterrorism operations,” the statement asserted.
“Initial findings from a comprehensive investigation launched immediately after the incident have confirmed that the attack was orchestrated and carried out by the Indian-sponsored militant group ‘Fitna Al Khawarij’,” the ISPR stated. Fitna Al Khawarij is a term used by the state to refer to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is reportedly launching attacks on Pakistan from Afghan territory.
The ISPR further elaborated that the perpetrators acted on behalf of “Indian masters” and intentionally used civilian populations and residential areas as human shields to conduct their terrorist activities. “Such tactics aim to unsuccessfully sow discord between the local population and the security forces, who together remain resolute in eradicating the menace of terrorism,” the statement added.
The ISPR reiterated that the armed forces remain dedicated to eliminating terrorism and will ensure that all those involved in this “inhuman act” are brought to justice.
Earlier reports from The News, citing intelligence sources, indicated that India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has activated its proxies in Balochistan to incite violence and terrorism. Following the failure of a previous false flag operation in Pahalgam, RAW is allegedly utilizing groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Fitna-ul-Khawarij, along with illegal Afghan nationals, to carry out attacks in Gwadar, Quetta, and Khuzdar.
Pakistan has experienced a surge in terror incidents since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the border provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. However, the first quarter of 2025 showed some promising trends in Pakistan’s security landscape, with militant and insurgent fatalities surpassing the combined losses of civilians and security forces personnel.
Key findings issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) revealed notably fewer fatal losses among civilians and security forces personnel compared to the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024 and an almost 13% reduction in overall violence, as reported by The News.
Despite this progress, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan remain hotbeds of violence, accounting for 98% of all fatalities, with attacks becoming bolder and militant tactics evolving, including the unprecedented hijacking of the Jaffar Express.
Projections warn of over 3,600 fatalities by year-end if current trends persist, potentially making 2025 one of Pakistan’s deadliest years. Individually, Balochistan accounted for 35% of all fatalities in the period under review, and compared to the previous quarter, it recorded an alarming 15% surge in violence. This comparison disregards surges recorded in other provinces/regions as the number of fatalities remains very low there.
