On Wednesday, Pakistan’s military reported the killing of 12 terrorists during separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in North Waziristan and Kech district. The operations took place between November 12 and 13.
The military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), issued a statement detailing the operations. In North Waziristan, the operation targeted terrorists in the Miran Shah area. Intelligence reports had confirmed the presence of militants in the region.
During the operation, security forces engaged the militants. As a result, eight terrorists were killed, and six others sustained injuries. The statement used the term “khwarij” to describe the militants, a reference to radical groups engaged in terrorism.
In a separate operation in Balochistan’s Kech district, security forces also made significant gains. They carried out an IBO on the night of November 12-13 in the general area of Balgatar. The operation targeted a group of terrorists operating in the region.
An intense firefight ensued between the security forces and the terrorists. The military confirmed the death of four terrorists, including a high-value target (HVT). The HVT was identified as Sana, also known as Baru, a key figure in the terrorist group. He was the leader of a terrorist ring and a major recruiter for the so-called Majeed Brigade, a notorious faction operating in the region.
Sana was particularly notorious for recruiting suicide bombers for the group. He had been on the radar of law enforcement agencies for a long time. The ISPR further reported that weapons and ammunition were recovered from the killed militants during the operation.
Following these operations, security forces conducted extensive sanitization efforts in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The military emphasized its determination to eliminate terrorism and ensure the safety of these areas.
A recent report by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) revealed a disturbing trend in the rise of terrorist violence. The third quarter of 2024 saw a sharp increase in fatalities linked to terrorism and counterterrorism efforts. The report showed a 90% surge in violence compared to previous periods.
Between July and September, 722 people were killed, including civilians, security personnel, and terrorists. Another 615 people were injured in 328 terrorist incidents across the country. Nearly 97% of these fatalities occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, marking the highest percentage of terrorist violence in a decade.
The total fatalities for the first three quarters of 2024 surpassed the total fatalities for the entire year of 2023. By September, at least 1,534 people had died from terrorist violence, compared to 1,523 in 2023.
Despite ongoing counterterrorism operations, terrorist groups in the region are reorganizing and strengthening their ranks. Many of the terror attacks remain unclaimed by any terrorist organizations, possibly for strategic reasons.
