RAWALPINDI: In a major counterterrorism operation, Pakistan’s security forces eliminated 14 Indian-sponsored terrorists in North Waziristan’s Datta Khel area, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported on Wednesday. The intelligence-based operation (IBO) was launched following confirmed reports of the presence of militants associated with the Indian proxy group “Fitna al Khwarij.” The security forces engaged the militants in a fierce gunfight, resulting in their deaths.
Subsequent sanitisation efforts are underway to clear the area of any remaining threats. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the forces for their bravery, reaffirming the government's commitment to uproot terrorism through professionalism and determination.
The successful operation follows a similar IBO in Balochistan’s Mach area, where five more Indian-backed terrorists were eliminated a day earlier. These operations are part of a broader crackdown on terrorism amid a slight rise in militant attacks during May 2025.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), May recorded 85 attacks — a 5% increase from April — resulting in 113 fatalities, including 52 security personnel and 46 civilians. Injuries also surged, with 194 people wounded, including 130 civilians and 54 security forces personnel. The deaths of security personnel rose by 73%, reflecting the growing threat faced by Pakistan’s armed forces.
In contrast, militant deaths dropped significantly, from 203 in April to 65 in May — the lowest since October 2024. Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the most affected regions, accounting for 82 of the 85 reported attacks. Balochistan alone saw 35 attacks, resulting in 51 deaths and 100 injuries, mostly among civilians.
Tensions with India have escalated in the wake of recent attacks, particularly the school bus bombing in Khuzdar that killed five people, including three children. Pakistan has blamed Indian-sponsored groups like TTP and BLA for these acts and reiterated its resolve to dismantle such networks. Islamabad has also firmly rejected Indian accusations following the killing of tourists in Pahalgam, offering to conduct an impartial investigation while calling out India’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism.
