ISLAMABAD; Pakistan’s security forces have eliminated 33 terrorists attempting to infiltrate through the Pakistan–Afghanistan border in Balochistan’s Zhob district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Friday.
According to ISPR, the militants belonged to the “Indian-sponsored” outfit Fitna al Khwaraj — a term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Troops detected the group on the night of August 7–8 in the Sambaza area and launched a “precise, bold and skilful” operation, killing all 33 infiltrators. A significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was recovered.
The military’s media wing reaffirmed that Pakistan’s forces remain steadfast in defending the nation’s borders and eliminating Indian-backed terrorism.
The operation comes a day after three Pakistan Army personnel including a decorated officer, Major Muhammad Rizwan Tahir, 31, from Narowal were martyred in Mastung, Balochistan, when an IED targeted their vehicle. The attack, claimed by Fitna al Hindustan, another Indian proxy group, occurred on the night of August 5–6. Naik Ibni Amin, 37, from Swabi, and Lance Naik Muhammad Younas, 33, from Karak, also embraced martyrdom.
In swift retaliation, security forces launched a sanitisation operation, killing four militants involved in the Mastung assault.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant activity, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the TTP ended its ceasefire in November 2022. The country now ranks second in the Global Terrorism Index 2025.
Last month, 30 Indian-backed militants were killed in a similar infiltration attempt through the Pak–Afghan border in North Waziristan’s Hassan Khel tehsil.
