Post by : Rameen Ariff

Pakistan’s military carried out a major operation in the Orakzai district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing 11 soldiers, including a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major, and 19 terrorists linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The operation was launched late Tuesday based on intelligence about local extremist groups, referred to by the Pakistani government as 'fitna al-khawarij.'

The Army said a “sanitisation” exercise will continue to eliminate any remaining terrorists in the area. This comes after several recent counter-terror operations, including last month’s raid in Karak, where 17 TTP militants were killed, and an earlier mission in Dera Ismail Khan, which resulted in 13 Taliban fighters being shot dead.

The TTP, distinct from but allied with the Afghan Taliban, has intensified its activities in Pakistan since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Many TTP leaders and fighters are believed to have taken refuge in Afghanistan.

Terrorism in Pakistan has surged sharply in recent years, with separatist groups and the TTP responsible for most attacks. In recent months, violence has increased by an estimated 46%, with 901 fatalities and 599 injuries reported from 329 attacks and military operations.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which share a porous border with Afghanistan, have borne the brunt of the violence. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone accounted for nearly 71% of terrorism-related deaths and over 67% of violent incidents across Pakistan.

The scale of military action was highlighted last month when Pakistani forces bombed a village in the Tirah Valley, targeting a TTP bomb-making facility. Tragically, 30 civilians, including women and children, were killed as the militants reportedly used locals as “human shields.”

The Pakistan Army continues its operations to curb the rising threat of terrorism and ensure security in the border regions.

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