Pakistani security forces have concluded a major three-day joint operation in the Upper Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in the deaths of at least nine militants affiliated with the banned terrorist group, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), often referred to locally as Fitna al-Khawarij. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Syed Muhammad Bilal, the extensive operation covered a 20-square-kilometer area of forested and mountainous terrain, including locations like Hill Top and Dobando Dara. The challenging rainy weather conditions hampered efforts, with five militant bodies recovered so far and search operations continuing for the others.
The operation involved a coordinated effort from multiple units, including the police, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), elite force, and rapid response force. The engagement was not without significant sacrifice; during the clashes, two civilians were killed and ten security personnel sustained injuries. This highlights the ongoing risks faced by both forces and local populations in the region’s counter-terrorism efforts.
This operation is a critical part of the state’s response to a alarming resurgence of terror activities in Pakistan. Since 2021, the country, particularly its western provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, has witnessed a sharp increase in militant attacks. Recent data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) indicates that June alone saw 78 terrorist attacks, resulting in over 100 deaths and nearly 200 injuries.
The security forces’ campaign against militancy remains relentless. In addition to the operation in Upper Dir, forces recently conducted targeted actions in KP’s Bajaur district and reportedly gunned down 47 terrorists attempting to infiltrate from Afghanistan in Balochistan’s Zhob district. These operations demonstrate the military’s continued resolve to combat terrorism on multiple fronts and secure the region.
