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ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reviewed operational readiness and training standards during a visit to Lahore Garrison, reaffirming the Pakistan Army&rsquo;s zero-tolerance policy towards any threat to national security, the military said on Thursday.&nbsp; According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, the army chief was given a comprehensive briefing on the formation&rsquo;s readiness, ongoing training programs and key initiatives aimed at enhancing combat efficiency in line with evolving battlefield requirements. The COAS and CDF also witnessed a specialized field training exercise incorporating latest military technologies, underscoring the Army&rsquo;s focus on innovation and adaptability to meet future challenges. He later inspected sports and recreational facilities for troops, highlighting their role in maintaining physical fitness, morale and overall well-being. During the visit, Field Marshal Asim Munir also toured a High Care Center at CMH Lahore and praised the medical staff and administration for establishing a fully equipped, state-of-the-art healthcare facility for soldiers and their families. Addressing officers at the garrison, the army chief reiterated that the Pakistan armed forces remain fully committed to safeguarding the country&rsquo;s sovereignty, territorial integrity and internal stability. He stressed that professionalism, discipline and determination would continue to guide the Army in confronting multifaceted security challenges. Earlier, upon his arrival at Lahore Garrison, the COAS and CDF was received by the Commander Lahore Corps.

Security

Reiterates that the Pakistan Armed Forces remain fully committed to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and internal stability.

Field Marshal Munir reaffirms 'zero tolerance' against security threats

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces on Monday killed five terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the northwestern district of Bajaur, following reports of militant presence in the area, the military said in a statement. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted an operation in Khar after receiving intelligence about the presence of terrorists belonging to Indian-proxy &quot;Fitna al-Khawarij.&quot; Pakistan uses the term &ldquo;khawarij&rdquo; to refer to the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, an umbrella network of Indian-backed armed terrorist groups. During the operation, five terrorists were killed, but in the intense&nbsp;exchange of fire, a senior officer, Major Adeel Zaman, embraced martyrdom. The officer was leading his troops from the front and rendered the ultimate sacrifice, the statement added. During the operation, weapons and ammunition were also recovered, which were being used in numerous terrorist activities against security forces as well as in the killing of innocent civilians, according to ISPR. The military said follow-up sanitization operations were conducted to eliminate any remaining militants in the area. The statement emphasized that counterterrorism efforts would continue under the Azm-e-Istehkam framework, adding that forces would operate &ldquo;at full pace to wipe out the threats of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.&rdquo;

Pakistan security forces killed five Indian-sponsored terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province; Major Adeel Zaman was martyred in the line of duty; weapons were recovered, and sanitization operations continue, ISPR said.

Pakistan forces kill five terrorists, soldier embraces martyrdom in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Army

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir underscored the importance of technological adaptability and combat readiness during visits to the Gujranwala and Sialkot garrisons, according to a statement issued by the military&rsquo;s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).&nbsp;ISPR said the field marshal was briefed on the formations&rsquo; operational preparedness and initiatives aimed at strengthening combat capability.&nbsp;He also observed a field training exercise and an advanced simulator training facility, where he praised the troops&rsquo; professionalism and overall state of readiness.&nbsp;&ldquo;Modern warfare demands agility, precision, situational awareness and swift decision-making,&rdquo; Field Marshal Munir said, emphasizing the central role of technology in addressing evolving security challenges.&nbsp;During interactions with officers and soldiers, he commended their morale and commitment to national defense, while stressing the need for &ldquo;rigorous and mission-oriented training,&rdquo; ISPR added.&nbsp;The army chief further stated that the Pakistan Army remains &ldquo;fully focused on both internal and external challenges,&rdquo; including hostile hybrid campaigns, extremist ideologies and divisive elements that threaten national stability.&nbsp;Earlier, upon his arrival in Gujranwala, Field Marshal Munir was received by the Corps Commander Gujranwala. ISPR also released video footage showing the army chief observing a military demonstration featuring tanks and drone operations.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visits Gujranwala and Sialkot garrisons, reviews combat readiness, observes training, and stresses technological adaptability, agility, and preparedness against evolving internal and external security threats.

Pakistan military chief stresses technology, readiness during garrisons’ inspection visit

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Pakistan has strongly rejected the remarks made by India&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, accusing the Pakistan Army of being the root cause of New Delhi&rsquo;s problems with Islamabad. In response to media queries, Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi condemned the comments as &ldquo;highly inflammatory, baseless, and irresponsible,&rdquo; and reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty. &ldquo;Pakistan categorically rejects and condemns the highly inflammatory, baseless, and irresponsible comments made by the Indian External Affairs Minister,&rdquo; Andrabi said in a statement. &ldquo;These remarks are a part of a larger propaganda campaign aimed at deflecting attention from India&rsquo;s own destabilizing actions in the region.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 922px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1997601917975830769&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=fbe7335dcffda78ca0d782b0f726242aea143f01&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Jaishankar, speaking to NDTV CEO and Editor-In-Chief Rahul Kanwal at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, alleged that many of India&rsquo;s issues with Pakistan were the result of &ldquo;ideological hostility&rdquo; fostered by the Pakistan Army. &ldquo;The ideological hostility towards India comes from the Pakistan Army,&rdquo; Jaishankar claimed, linking the military&rsquo;s influence directly to the strained bilateral relations. This statement follows the deadly conflict between the two nations in May 2025, sparked by a militant attack on civilians in Indian-occupied Kashmir. A charge Pakistan has consistently denied and offered open investigation.&nbsp; Responding to these allegations, Andrabi highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s professionalism and resolve in defending its national interests. He noted that the May conflict demonstrated the Pakistan Armed Forces&rsquo; capability and responsibility in confronting aggression while maintaining national security. &ldquo;The May 2025 conflict vividly demonstrated Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces&rsquo; professionalism and resolve to defend the motherland against any Indian aggression,&rdquo; Andrabi stated. &ldquo;No amount of propaganda can distort this truth.&rdquo; The spokesperson also denounced Indian efforts to undermine Pakistan&rsquo;s state institutions, calling them part of a broader disinformation campaign. &ldquo;These attempts are designed to distract from India&rsquo;s destabilizing actions, including its ongoing state-sponsored terrorism against Pakistan,&rdquo; Andrabi said. Furthermore, the foreign office criticized the rise of Hindutva ideology in India, which has unleashed a wave of violence, discrimination, and attacks on religious minorities. &ldquo;India must investigate its own internal issues rather than making misleading accusations about Pakistan,&rdquo; Andrabi emphasized. &ldquo;The Indian state has become hostage to the terror unleashed by the Hindutva agenda, including mob justice, arbitrary detentions, and the destruction of places of worship.&rdquo; While reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to peace, dialogue, and diplomacy, the spokesperson underscored that Pakistan would remain resolute in defending its sovereignty and national security. &ldquo;Pakistan believes in co-existence and dialogue,&rdquo; said Andrabi. &ldquo;However, we stand united and resolute in our ability to protect our national interests.&rdquo; This sharp exchange between the two nuclear-armed neighbors underscores the enduring tensions that have plagued their relationship, particularly over the Kashmir dispute and ongoing military confrontations.

File Photo - Flag lowering ceremony (Wikimedia Commons)

Foreign Affairs

Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi says Pakistan rejects Indian FM Jaishankar’s accusations as inflammatory propaganda, defends its military’s conduct, and urges India to address rising internal extremism.

Pakistan rejects Indian minister’s remarks on armed forces, condemns propaganda

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s civilian leadership has formally approved the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as the country&rsquo;s first Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), with both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif endorsing the new top military role, according to official statements issued Thursday.&nbsp;The president approved the five-year appointment after receiving the summary from the prime minister, confirming that Munir will concurrently serve as Chief of the Army Staff.&nbsp;President Zardari also endorsed a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, to take effect when his current tenure ends on March 19 next year. He conveyed &ldquo;best wishes&rdquo; to both senior officers for &ldquo;their successful tenures,&rdquo; according to the President&rsquo;s Secretariat.&nbsp;PM Sharif also congratulated Munir, calling the appointment &ldquo;aligned with contemporary and modern warfare requirements,&rdquo; adding that it would &ldquo;further strengthen the country&rsquo;s defense.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Under Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir&rsquo;s leadership, our brave armed forces have dealt a decisive defeat to the enemy,&rdquo; the prime minister said, praising what he described as a &ldquo;remarkable victory&rdquo; that had &ldquo;enhanced Pakistan&rsquo;s prestige and honor worldwide.&rdquo;&nbsp;Sharif separately congratulated Air Chief Marshal Sidhu on his extension, saying the Pakistan Air Force had demonstrated &ldquo;exceptional professional skills&rdquo; under his command, claiming that its operations had &ldquo;destroyed enemy warplanes and asserted dominance.&rdquo;&nbsp;The prime minister said all national institutions would continue to work together for &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s defense, development, and prosperity,&rdquo; adding: &ldquo;Together, we will make the country&rsquo;s defense invincible.&rdquo;

PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulates Asim Munir as first Chief of Defense Forces, praises his leadership, extends best wishes, and commends Air Chief Zaheer Sidhu for strengthening Pakistan’s defense.

Pakistan president, PM approve Field Marshal Asim Munir as first CDF, extend air chief tenure

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan security forces killed 23 terrorists in two targeted operations near the border with Afghanistan, the army said Thursday, a week after a suicide bombing killed 12 people in Islamabad, reported the AFP. The terrorists belonged to the Pakistani Taliban or its affiliated groups, the military said in a statement, accusing India of backing them. The operations took place in the Kurram district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a flashpoint for cross-border terrorism that has worsened since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Military&rsquo;s statement&nbsp;A statement released by Pakistan military&rsquo;s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday said, &ldquo;On 19 November 2025, twenty three khwarij (terrorists) belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khawarij were killed in two separate engagements in Kurram District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.&rdquo; On the reported presence of terrorists, a targeted operation was conducted by the security forces, it said.&nbsp; During the conduct of the operation, troops engaged the terrorist location and after an intense fire exchange, 12 terrorists were killed, the statement added. Pakistan uses the term &quot;Fitna Al Khawarij&quot; to refer to the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella network of armed terrorist groups. &lsquo;Foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism&rsquo;According to the ISPR statement: &ldquo;Capitalizing on intelligence with respect to presence of another group of terrorists, in same general area, in another intelligence-based operation, own troops successfully neutralized 11 more terrorists.&rdquo; The statement further added, &ldquo;Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorists found in the area as relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision &ldquo;Azm e Istehkam&rdquo; (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 menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.&rdquo; &lsquo;Kabul harboring terrorist groups&rsquo;Islamabad accuses Kabul of harboring terrorist groups, particularly the TTP, that stage deadly attacks in Pakistan, AFP reported. A suicide bombing outside a court in Islamabad killed 12 people and wounded dozens last week, which Pakistan said was planned from Afghanistan. A faction of the TTP claimed responsibility for the attack. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply deteriorated, with cross-border clashes last month prompting the worst fighting in years; the border remains closed. The South Asian neighbors agreed to a fragile ceasefire but failed to finalize its terms after several rounds of talks, each blaming the other for the impasse, according to AFP. PM lauds security forces Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by Pakistan Prime Minister&#39;s Office (Media Wing) on Thursday: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces&rsquo; officers and personnel in Kurram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for successful operations against the terrorists. The prime minister praised the professional capabilities of the security forces&rsquo; officers and personnel for killing the 23 terrorists. &ldquo;We will continue the fight against terrorism until the complete eradication of this menace from the country,&rdquo; said Sharif. &ldquo;The entire nation, including myself, stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Armed Forces in the unwavering resolve to protect our beloved homeland,&rdquo; said the prime minister.

The army's media wing says, ‘Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area’; ‘Counter Terrorism campaign by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue.’

Pakistan army kills 23 terrorists in border region: spox

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Indonesia on Wednesday concluded their joint military exercise, Shaheen Strike-II, with a core focus on counterterrorism operations, the military&rsquo;s media wing said.&nbsp;According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), combat teams from both the Pakistan Army and the Indonesian Army participated in the exercise and &ldquo;successfully achieved all training objectives.&quot; ISPR noted that &ldquo;troops from both nations showcased high levels of professionalism and operational excellence,&rdquo; underscoring the value of the engagement.&nbsp;The exercise concentrated on improving counterterrorism drills, procedures, and operational techniques, with a specific emphasis on fighting in built-up areas and countering improvised explosive devices, the statement added.&nbsp;Pakistan and Indonesia also used the opportunity to further strengthen their longstanding military-to-military cooperation, reinforcing bilateral defense ties and enhancing mutual readiness to tackle emerging security challenges.&nbsp;The closing ceremony was attended by a Pakistani General Officer as the Chief Guest, while the Indonesian side was represented by senior military officials, according to ISPR.

Pakistan and Indonesia completed the Shaheen Strike-II military exercise, focusing on counterterrorism. Both armies achieved all training goals, improved tactics, and strengthened defense cooperation.

Pakistan, Indonesia conclude joint drills to boost counterterrorism cooperation

Ayesha Mir

WANA: The ruins of Cadet College Wana still smell of dust and explosives.&nbsp;Seeing a school reduced to rubble is always a painful sight. But seeing an institution painstakingly built in a tribal region that fought for years to reclaim its right to education makes the devastation feel even heavier.&nbsp;Amid shattered glass, blood stains, and walls pocked with bullets at Cadet College Wana, one thought offered relief: all 535 students and staff survived a coordinated terrorist assault on November 10. An outcome made possible by a swift three-phase operation by the Pakistan Army.&nbsp;The attack also reopened old wounds. For many, the chaos of the night evoked memories of the December 16, 2014 Army Public School Peshawar massacre, when seven Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan [TTP] militants stormed the school and killed 150 people, including 134 children. The specter of that tragedy loomed heavily over Wana.&nbsp;College built to heal regionFounded in 2011, Cadet College Wana was envisioned as a pathway out of conflict for South Waziristan&rsquo;s youth. Since then, 645 students have graduated, more than half becoming engineers, doctors, civil servants, or officers in Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces.&nbsp;&ldquo;These kids are our pride,&rdquo; Principal Usman said during a briefing. &ldquo;They&rsquo;ve won international competitions, seven gold medalists, one civil award holder. Yet on November 10, terrorists tried to attack these same children. The same Afghan khawarij who claim Pathans are their brothers came to kill the children of those very Pathans.&rdquo;&nbsp;His voice trembled, not with fear, but disbelief at the cruelty that came for his students.&nbsp;Night of the attackThe violence at the college entrance speaks for itself: a four-foot-wide crater gouges the ground where a vehicle carrying 500&ndash;600 kilograms of explosives rammed the gate. The iron gate was blown dozens of meters away. Watch posts on both sides collapsed instantly. The remains of the terrorists&rsquo; vehicle lie twisted and charred, evidence of a plan meant for mass casualties.&nbsp;Beyond the gate, the auditorium dedicated to Abdul Wali Wazir Shaheed, a former cadet who embraced martyrdom while leading an anti-terror operation in 2022, now lies in ruins. Its destruction felt deeply symbolic to many on campus.&nbsp;Inside the administrative block, the terrorists&rsquo; entry point, bullet holes stitch the walls. Blood from the three civilian staff targeted by the attackers stains the staircase. Boots and slippers lie abandoned on the rooftop. The devastation stretches across the campus; even distant structures bear scars from the explosion.&nbsp;&lsquo;We kept the cadets safe&rsquo;Walking through the destroyed building, Colonel Muhammad Tahir recounted the sequence of events:&nbsp;&ldquo;They hit the car at the gate and entered. Five khawarij came toward the main building. They wanted to reach the hostels&hellip; because that&rsquo;s where the innocent cadets were. But we quashed their plans. We contained them here and kept the cadets safe there.&rdquo;&nbsp;He said the terrorists carried sophisticated weapons and maintained communication with handlers in Afghanistan. A blood-stained bandana reading &ldquo;Special Istikhadiis Force &ndash; Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan&rdquo; was recovered. In the lawn outside, investigators found the severed foot of one suicide bomber.&nbsp;&ldquo;These were istikhadiis. Do or die,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Three-phase operationThe Army&rsquo;s response unfolded in three phases: containment, evacuation, and elimination.&nbsp;Containment was swift. Snipers and Quick Response Force units surrounded the militants within minutes of the initial blast.&nbsp;The evacuation, however, was slower and far more delicate. With hostels exposed to the militants&rsquo; line of sight, soldiers improvised a back-route escape, breaking windows and using ladders to lower students from upper floors.&nbsp;&ldquo;We created a firewall between the enemy and the children,&rdquo; said Colonel Shahid Masood, who led the evacuation. &ldquo;We moved building to building, room to room. The instruction from the Army Chief was clear: not a single child should be harmed.&rdquo;&nbsp;The process lasted nearly six hours. Some cadets were moved under tarpaulins, others in armoured vehicles through improvised exits. By late afternoon, all had been accounted for.&nbsp;Only then did the final phase begin. Snipers killed the attackers as they attempted to flee the administrative block.&nbsp;&ldquo;We not only killed them,&rdquo; Colonel Tahir said. &ldquo;We killed their intent.&rdquo;&nbsp;Inside the storeroomsThe students&rsquo; accounts reveal the fear, but also the unwavering composure, that defined the night.&nbsp;&ldquo;We were doing drill rehearsal when the blast happened,&rdquo; said 18-year-old Cadet Abdullah. &ldquo;We ran to our houses and waited two hours until the Army arrived. They stood like walls for us. We were in a storeroom for 25 hours with no food or water.&rdquo;&nbsp;Another student, Binyamin Ahmed, recalled 23 boys crammed into a room meant for five.&nbsp;&ldquo;Our principal rescued us from the back door. We are proud of our army.&rdquo;&nbsp;English lecturer Anamullah Khan said the cadets &ldquo;showed bravery beyond their years&rdquo; even as explosions shook the campus.&nbsp;South Waziristan has endured years of conflict, mass displacement, and repeated attacks on schools. Cadet College Wana, established in 2011, was meant to symbolize a turning point. A place to rebuild futures after years of militancy.&nbsp;Its principal, standing amid the rubble of his office, insisted the mission will continue.&nbsp;&ldquo;My staff, my cadets, all of them showed courage,&rdquo; said Principal Usman. &ldquo;This college will not close. Not yesterday, not today, not tomorrow.&rdquo;&nbsp;A local elder put it more simply:&nbsp;&ldquo;They attacked this place because it is our children&rsquo;s future.&rdquo;&nbsp;The attack comes as Pakistan faces a renewed wave of violence, growing political uncertainty, and strained relations with Kabul. But in Wana, amid collapsed roofs and broken walls, the most enduring image remains the students, many hungry, exhausted and cold after nearly 19 hours in hiding, stepping out smiling.&nbsp;In a region long held hostage by militancy, their survival felt like an act of defiance.

In South Waziristan, cadets survived a major terrorist attack near the Afghan border, showing remarkable courage, as Pakistan’s security forces foiled the assault and rescued all safely.

Cadets defy terrorists as Pakistan thwarts major attack near Afghan border

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces foiled coordinated infiltration attempts by two groups of militants attempting to cross from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, killing 25 militants, including four suicide bombers, the military said on Sunday.&nbsp;In a statement, the military&#39;s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said the movements of the infiltrating groups were detected on October 24-25 in the Ghaki area of Kurram District and in Spinwam, North Waziristan District, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.&nbsp;The statement said 15 &quot;khawarij&quot;, including four suicide bombers belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij, were killed in Spinwam, while another ten were killed in Ghaki.&nbsp;Islamabad uses the term &ldquo;khawarij&rdquo; for members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), invoking a historical label for an extremist sect in early Islam that rejected legitimate authority and declared other Muslims to be apostates. A large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was recovered from the militants.&nbsp;ISPR confirmed that five Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred during the exchange of fire. The fallen were identified as Havildar Manzoor Hussain, 35, from Ghizar; Sepoy Nauman Ilyas Kiyani, 23, from Poonch; Sepoy Muhammad Adil, 24, from Kasur; Sepoy Shah Jehan, 25, from Vehari; and Sepoy Ali Asghar, 25, from Pakpattan.&nbsp;The statement said the soldiers &ldquo;fought gallantly and paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending the nation.&rdquo;&nbsp;The military noted that the infiltration attempts came as Pakistani and Afghan delegations are engaged in talks in T&uuml;rkiye, saying the timing &ldquo;casts doubt on the intentions of the interim Afghan government regarding the issue of terrorism emanating from its soil.&rdquo;&nbsp;Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan authorities to ensure effective border management and fulfill commitments under the Doha Agreement, including preventing the use of Afghan territory for attacks against Pakistan.&nbsp;ISPR reaffirmed that Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces &ldquo;remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation&rsquo;s frontiers,&rdquo; adding that the sacrifices of the martyred soldiers &ldquo;further strengthen our resolve.&rdquo;&nbsp;A sanitization operation is currently underway in the area, and the military said the counterterrorism campaign under the&nbsp;Azm-e-Istehkam framework, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue with full determination to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

A statement released by Pakistan’s military media wing notes the infiltration comes amid ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Türkiye, raising concerns about Kabul’s current commitment to curb cross-border militancy and prevent TTP operations.

Pakistan kills 25 militants in Afghan-border infiltration attempt: military

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Afghan traders are feeling the pinch as key trade crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan remain closed for the fourth consecutive day. Afghan state-owned channel Tolo News reported growing concerns over the impact on trade and economic activities due to the border closure. The Afghan Border Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the continued closure has caused &ldquo;significant delays for traders&rdquo; and urged the Afghan government to take &ldquo;urgent steps to resolve the issue.&rdquo; Pakistan&#39;s prime minister recently remarked that the responsibility now lies with the Afghan Taliban to establish a lasting ceasefire. This statement came after a 48-hour ceasefire was declared &nbsp;on Wednesday in response to deadly clashes across the border. Several critical crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan, such as Spin Boldak, have been shut down. On Wednesday, the Pakistani military&#39;s media wing, ISPR, reported that their security forces thwarted another assault by the Afghan Taliban along the Balochistan border, resulting in the deaths of approximately 15 to 20 Taliban fighters. The ISPR stated that the &ldquo;cowardly&rdquo; strikes occurred at four different spots near Spin Boldak during the early morning hours. The Pakistani troops countered these offensives effectively, inflicting casualties and injuries on the attackers. Hostilities initially erupted on the night of October 11-12, 2025, when the Afghan Taliban, alongside an India-supported group, launched an unprovoked assault on Pakistani forces along the border. Islamabad has long maintained that Kabul must halt its support for militants from Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. The conflict worsened late Saturday night, with 23 Pakistani soldiers martyred&nbsp;and, according to ISPR, around 200 Taliban and allied militants killed during an attack originating from the Afghan side. This marks the most intense violence since early October.

Residents ride a loaded truck of belongings, as they flee the area, following exchanges of fire between Pakistan and Afghanistan forces, at the border crossing in Chaman, Balochistan province, Pakistan, October 15, 2025. (REUTERS)

Afghanistan

Afghan traders feel the pinch as key border crossings with Pakistan remain closed amid escalating clashes, disrupting trade for the fourth consecutive day and escalating regional tensions.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan Army"