Islamabad,(Parliament Times): Security forces killed five terrorists allegedly backed by India during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Sunday.
The military’s media wing said the operation was carried out on March 15 after receiving reports about the presence of militants in the area. During the operation, troops engaged the militants at their hideout.
“During the conduct of the operation, our troops effectively engaged the khawarij location and, after an intense exchange of fire, five khawarij were neutralised,” the statement said.
Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain militants, who were reportedly involved in several terrorist activities in the region.
Following the operation, security forces launched a sanitisation effort to clear the area of any remaining militants allegedly sponsored by India, the ISPR added.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to continue the counterterrorism campaign under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam to eradicate the threat of foreign-backed terrorism from the country.
Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
Since the Afghan Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in cross-border militant activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which border Afghanistan.
In response to the growing threat, Pakistan launched “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq,” during which around 684 Afghan Taliban operatives and affiliated militants were killed.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said more than 900 militants were also injured, while Pakistani forces destroyed 252 militant checkposts.
Tensions between the two countries also escalated in October 2025, when Afghan Taliban fighters and militants launched attacks on Pakistani border posts, triggering clashes.
Those confrontations resulted in the deaths of more than 200 Taliban fighters and allied militants, while 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred while defending the country.
Despite several rounds of talks, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban authorities have yet to reach an agreement, mainly due to Kabul’s reluctance to take action against militant groups operating against Pakistan.