ISLAMABAD: The fight against terrorism in Pakistan intensified as five soldiers, including a captain, embraced martyrdom in an IED attack in Balochistan’s Kech district. The strike occurred on September 15 during an intelligence-based sanitisation operation in the Sher Bandi area.
According to the ISPR, the blast hit troops engaged in the clearance mission. “Five brave sons of the soil embraced martyrdom, including a captain,” the statement said. Those who laid down their lives were Captain Waqar Ahmed, 25, from Loralai; Naik Asmat Ullah, 35, from Dera Ghazi Khan; Lance Naik Junaid Ahmed, 29, from Sukkur; Lance Naik Khan Muhammad, 29, from Mardan; and Sepoy Muhammad Zahoor, 28, from Swabi.
In a swift response, security forces neutralised five terrorists linked with the Indian proxy group Fitna al Hindustan. Operations to clear the remaining militants are still underway. The ISPR said that the sacrifices of officers and soldiers only strengthen Pakistan’s resolve to root out extremism.
This was not the only operation against terrorism in Pakistan. Earlier, troops eliminated 31 terrorists associated with the Indian-backed “Fitna al Khwarij” in two separate intelligence-led actions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Fourteen militants were killed during a clash in Lakki Marwat, while 17 more were neutralised in Bannu. ISPR confirmed that troops are conducting thorough clearance drives to dismantle any remaining terror networks.
The statement reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to crush Indian-sponsored militancy. Officials noted that terrorism in Pakistan has surged since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. Bordering regions in KP and Balochistan have been particularly affected.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to eliminate militancy, declaring zero tolerance for ambiguity. He warned that Afghanistan must choose between standing with terrorists or supporting Pakistan.
For decades, Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees—first during the Soviet invasion and later through the Taliban takeover. Many Afghans were born and raised here, while others are still waiting for relocation to third countries. Under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, Pakistan has sent back more than 554,000 Afghans since April 2025, including around 145,000 in August alone.
Security sources insist that the masterminds of attacks are based in Afghanistan, where they receive backing from India. The two neighbours share a porous 2,500-kilometre border, important for trade and social ties, but also exploited for cross-border violence.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged Kabul to stop allowing groups like the TTP to use Afghan soil for attacks. Islamabad’s concerns were echoed in a UN Security Council report, which confirmed Kabul’s logistical and financial support to the TTP.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), August saw a 74% surge in militant incidents compared to July. The think tank recorded 194 fatalities in a single month, underscoring the rising threat of terrorism in Pakistan.