Pakistani Forces Kill 54 Militants in Major Border Operation

Pakistani security forces thwarted an attempted border crossing by TTP militants along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Hassan Khel area of North Waziristan from April 25–27. According to a statement from the country's military establishment, the ISPR, 54 TTP-affiliated militants were killed in that counterterrorism operation. Security forces seized weapons, ammunition, and explosives. The ISPR described the operation as achieving the “highest-ever number of terrorists killed in one operation” for Pakistan's counterterrorism operations.

The media wing of the military, said that it had intelligence which indicated the militants were directed to conduct high-profile attacks in Pakistan by "foreign masters". The ISPR did not mention what particular countries these "foreign masters" were but did suggest that the timing of the attacks matched with "baseless allegations" against Pakistan from India- implying some level of cross-border coordination. The media wing accused these militants of "treason" and pointed out that they are diverting security forces' attention from counter-terrorism.

The porous Pakistan-Afghanistan border stretches for more than 2,500 kilometres and has long been the centre of security concerns in the region. The authorities in Pakistan have raised this issue repeatedly with Afghanistan involving TTP militants using Afghan territory as a base. A November 2022 UN Security Council report drew attention to Afghanistan's possible involvement and claimed that Kabul provided logistical and financial support to TTP - a claim that Afghanistan disputed.

Data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies indicates there was a 42% increase in terror attacks in January 2025 compared to December 2024. There were at least 74 attacks in 2024 that resulted in 91 deaths, including civilians and security personnel. Back in April, eight were killed in an infiltration of the border by gunmen, and the violence has continued.

The ISPR reiterated the army's resolve to "eliminate the menace of terrorism," describing the operation as a demonstration of their readiness. Officials argue that addressing such threats is essential for regional stability, though counterterrorism is complicated by tensions across borders.