Pakistan says 49 terrorists killed in anti-terror operations, accuses India of sponsoring terrorism in region
By The South Asia Times
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s military announced Thursday that security forces have killed 49 militants in a series of intelligence-based operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces over recent days, accusing neighboring India of sponsoring terrorist networks operating within its borders.
The operations, conducted jointly with police as part of the ongoing "Azm-e-Istehkam" counterterrorism campaign, targeted what the military described as “Indian proxies,” “Fitna Al Khwarij,” and “Fitna Al Hindustan”-state-designated terms for militants Pakistan claims are backed by Indian intelligence.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security forces killed twelve militants during multiple operations in Bannu, North Waziristan, Orakzai, and Khyber Districts, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). A large quantity of explosives, IED detonating remotes, weapons, ammunition, and motorcycles were recovered and destroyed.
In Balochistan, authorities reported more significant gains, with thirty-seven militants killed in ten separate intelligence-based operations in Mastung, Mach, Khuzdar, and Panjgur Districts. The ISPR said security forces seized and destroyed a significant cache of weapons, explosive drums, and remote detonation equipment.
The federal government last year officially designated all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as 'Fitna al-Hindustan', accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through these outfits. 'Fitna al-Khawarij' is the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
A statement from the military’s media wing said the operations are part of a "relentless Counter Terrorism campaign" under the vision "Azm e Istehkam," which was approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan.
"Security Forces of Pakistan remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation’s frontiers," the ISPR said. "Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored Kharji/ terrorist found in the area."
Pakistan has experienced a significant rise in militant violence since 2021, with attacks increasing nearly fourfold to 2,425 in 2025 from 658 in 2022, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have borne the brunt of the violence, accounting for nearly 96% of all violence-related fatalities recorded in the second quarter of 2026.
