ISLAMABAD – April 21: At least 11 terrorists were killed and several others wounded in two separate security operations conducted by law enforcement agencies in Punjab’s Mianwali and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lower South Waziristan on Monday, according to official statements.
The operations come amid a surge in militant violence across the country, particularly in KP and Balochistan, following the end of a ceasefire by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in November 2022.
Mianwali Operation: 10 Militants Neutralized
A joint operation carried out by Mianwali police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in the Makarwal area led to the killing of at least 10 terrorists. According to the police, several other militants were injured in the raid.
One civilian sustained injuries during the exchange of fire and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Officials confirmed that no law enforcement personnel were harmed during the operation.
The operation was led by Regional Police Officer Muhammad Shahzad Asif Khan and Mianwali District Police Officer Akhtar Farooq. Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr. Usman Anwar praised the police and CTD teams for their successful mission and reaffirmed the force’s resolve to eliminate terrorism in the province.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also lauded the security forces, calling it a “great success” and saluted the bravery of those involved in thwarting what he described as the “nefarious intentions” of TTP militants.
KP Incident: Terrorist Killed During Attack on Polio Team
In a separate incident in KP’s Lower South Waziristan, unidentified assailants attacked a police team on polio duty in the Kalosha area. One terrorist was killed in a 30-minute gun battle, while others fled the scene.
Weapons including a sub-machine gun, rocket launcher, and two motorcycles were recovered. The deceased was identified as Afnan, found in possession of two ID cards, three ATM cards, and a smartphone. One ID card belonged to a police constable martyred in an earlier attack prior to Eidul Fitr.
Additional police forces and armoured vehicles have been deployed to secure the area and protect ongoing polio vaccination efforts. KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed praised the team and announced a reward for their performance.
Rising Threat of Militancy
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), March 2025 saw a troubling rise in militant violence, with over 100 terrorist incidents reported — the highest monthly total since November 2014.
Pakistan now ranks second on the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with a 45% increase in terrorism-related deaths in the past year, totaling 1,081 fatalities.
