Security forces have killed eight terrorists while responding to their movement along the Pak-Afghan border in North Waziristan district, the military’s media affairs wing said on Thursday.

In a press release, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the engagement took place on Wednesday after the “movement of a group of khwarij” was picked up by the security forces.

“As a result of precise and skilful engagement, eight khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR said, adding that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from them.

Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

“Sanitisation operations are ongoing to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored khawarij in the area”, the military said.

“The engagement once again substantiates our repeated stance regarding abject failure of Afghan Taliban regime to ensure effective border management on their side of the border,” the ISPR pointed out.

“[The] Afghan Taliban Regime must fulfil its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by khwarij and involvement of its citizens in terrorism inside Pakistan,” it demanded.

The military reaffirmed that the security forces remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation’s frontiers.

The ISPR stated that the “relentless counter-terrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country”.

President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for their “timely and effective” action against terrorists.

In a statement shared by his party, the president said, “The role of the security forces in defending the homeland and protecting the borders is a source of pride.”

President Zardari urged the Afghan interim government to prevent its territory from being used for terrorism against Pakistan.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi hailed the security forces for “foiling the infiltration attempt by khwarij from across the Afghan border”.

He saluted the soldiers for “thwarting the nefarious designs of Indian-backed terrorists”, adding that the nation took pride in the army’s professional capabilities.

Terrorism concerns

The military engagement comes as Pakistan presses on with Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, targeting terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan.

A day ago, officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan and China met in the Chinese city of Urumqi under a trilateral mechanism.

While a foreign ministry official said the meeting was not a “mediation effort per se”, it was believed that China was pushing for confidence-building measures, such as reopening trade routes.

There has been a resurgence in terrorism in Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil, particularly those linked to the banned TTP. Officials say those appeals have gone unheeded.

Following unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban from across the border, Pakistan had launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq on the night of February 26.

A five-day temporary pause was observed from March 18 to 23 on the occasion of Eidul Fitr, with the FO later saying the operation would continue “until its objectives are achieved”.