Security Forces
At least three terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted by security forces in the North Waziristan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed in a statement on Friday.
According to the military’s media wing, the operation was carried out between the night of February 6 and 7 in the Datta Khel area following intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists. During the raid, security forces engaged the militants, who were reportedly attempting to escape disguised in women’s attire (burqa).
“During the conduct of the operation, our troops effectively engaged the khwarij (terrorists), as a result of which three of them were eliminated while trying to flee in disguise,” the ISPR stated.
The use of burqas as a deceptive tactic by militants has been previously reported in the region, highlighting their desperate measures to evade capture.
Following the successful engagement, security forces recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition from the slain militants. The ISPR further noted that the eliminated terrorists were actively involved in several terror-related activities in the area, posing a significant threat to peace and stability.
To ensure complete security, a sanitization operation is now underway in the region to clear out any remaining terrorist elements. “Security forces of Pakistan remain resolute in their mission to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country,” the ISPR statement emphasized.
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in terror-related incidents, with January 2025 seeing a significant 42% increase in militant attacks compared to the previous month. According to data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), at least 74 militant attacks were recorded nationwide, resulting in 91 fatalities.
Among the deceased were 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants, while 117 others sustained injuries, including 53 security personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has been the most affected region, followed closely by Balochistan. In KP’s settled districts, 27 militant attacks resulted in 19 deaths, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.
Meanwhile, in the province’s tribal districts (formerly FATA), 19 attacks led to 46 fatalities, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.
The ongoing counterterrorism operations reflect Pakistan’s commitment to tackling the rising threat of militancy, with security forces remaining vigilant in their efforts to ensure long-term peace and stability in the region.
