ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military said on Thursday that security forces killed 13 terrorists in two separate infiltration attempts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, as Islamabad renewed calls on Afghan authorities to prevent their territory from being used for attacks inside Pakistan.
In a statement, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, said the operations took place on April 28 and 29 in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“Thirteen khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khwarij were killed in two foiled infiltration attempts along Pakistan-Afghanistan border,” the statement said.
The latest engagements come amid continued security tensions along the border, following weeks of cross-border military operations under Operation Ghazab lil Haq and ongoing diplomatic efforts between Islamabad and Kabul, including talks facilitated through China.
Two infiltration attempts foiled
According to the military, the first operation took place in Mohmand district, where security forces detected the movement of a group attempting to cross into Pakistan.
“Own troops effectively engaged this group of khwarij. As a result of precise and skillful engagement, eight khwarij… were sent to hell,” the statement said.
A second infiltration attempt was foiled in North Waziristan, where Pakistani troops engaged another group after what the military described as an intense exchange of fire.
“Five khwarij were neutralized,” ISPR said.
The military said sanitization operations were ongoing in both areas to clear any remaining threats.
‘Failure of Afghan Taliban regime’
The military said the incidents reinforced Pakistan’s longstanding position regarding security concerns along the border.
“These engagements once again substantiate Pakistan’s repeated stance regarding abject failure of Afghan Taliban regime to ensure effective border management on their side,” the statement said.
It called on Afghan authorities to “fulfil their obligations” and deny the use of Afghan territory for terrorism against Pakistan.
Pakistan uses the term “Fitna al-Khawarij” in official communication to refer to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), drawing on a historical term associated with violent extremism and rebellion against legitimate authority.
Cross-border firing
The military statement follows remarks by Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, who earlier in the day described recent cross-border shelling from Afghanistan as “very disturbing.”
“In the border areas of South Waziristan adjacent to Bannu district… Afghan forces carried out unprovoked firing and shelling on April 26 and 29, targeting civilian populations,” Andrabi said during a weekly briefing on Thursday.
He said several civilians were injured and houses damaged, including women and children.
“Local tribal elders and residents have expressed serious concern over these incidents,” he said.
The latest operations form part of Pakistan’s wider counterterrorism campaign under Azm-e-Istehkam, which officials say complements cross-border operations aimed at reducing the operational capacity of terrorist networks.
Pakistani officials have said recent military pressure has contributed to a decline in violence inside the country, even as infiltration attempts and sporadic attacks continue along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Authorities say both military operations and diplomatic engagement remain active, with Islamabad maintaining that any durable peace depends on “visible and verifiable” action by Afghan authorities to curb terrorist activity originating from their territory.
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