Security forces kill 17 terrorists in Lakki Marwat IBO: ISPR

Weapons, ammunition recovered during operation

Security forces killed 17 terrorists belonging to an “Indian proxy group, Fitna al Khwarij,” in an intelligence-based operation in Lakki Marwat district on the night of September 26 and 27, 2025, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), troops “effectively engaged the khwarij location,” 17 Indian sponsored khwarij were sent to hell. Weapons and ammunition were recovered during the operation.

Read: Security forces kill 13 terrorists in Dera Ismail Khan IBO: ISPR

The military said those killed “remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as the killing of innocent civilians.”

A sanitisation operation is underway to clear the area of any remaining militants. Security forces reiterated their determination “to wipe out the menace of Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country.”

PM, President praise security forces

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari praised security forces after they killed 17 terrorists in an operation in Lakki Marwat district.

In a statement, Shehbaz commended the “professional skill and timely action” of the forces, saying their efforts had foiled the “malicious designs of the Khwarij.” He reiterated that the government and military were determined to eradicate terrorism. “Soon the scourge will be uprooted,” he said, while also praying for the swift recovery of injured personnel.

Zardari separately congratulated the forces on the successful operation, describing the slain fighters as “Indian-sponsored terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khwarij.” He said the complete elimination of the network was vital for stability.

“Their efforts reflect the nation’s resolve to eradicate Indian proxy terrorism from Pakistan,” the president said. “The entire nation stands united with its valiant armed forces in the fight against terrorism.”

Shehbaz warns Kabul

Pakistan has been continuously facing terrorists infiltration from the border areas of Afghanistan. Last week, PM Shehbaz categorically warned Kabul to make a clear choice between Pakistan and the Khawarij, saying Afghanistan could not host militants destabilising its neighbour while at the same time expecting normal ties with Islamabad.

“Pakistan will deliver a befitting riposte to terrorism,” he declared, stressing that “there will be no ambiguity or hesitation in it.” He said that the masterminds and facilitators of terrorist attacks in Pakistan are operating from Afghan soil with Indian backing.

“Afghanistan has been categorically told it must choose between Islamabad and the Khawarij,” he added. The PM noted that Afghan nationals had been involved in recent attacks after infiltrating across the border, underscoring the urgency of repatriating undocumented Afghan residents.

Rejecting what he termed the politicisation of terrorism, Shehbaz warned that “those who advocate for Khawarij or facilitate India’s terror proxies are acting as their agents and will be dealt with accordingly.”

The statement came after 19 soldiers were martyred and 45 terrorists linked to the Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khwarij network were killed in three separate intelligence-based operations conducted in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa between September 10 and 13.

Dar urges Afghan govt to take ‘concrete’ action

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar voiced strong concern over the presence of more than two dozen terrorist groups inside Afghanistan, urging the Taliban authorities to take “concrete and verifiable” action to stop their soil from being used for terrorism against neighbours, particularly Pakistan.

At the inaugural meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan on Wednesday, he said organisations such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Balochistan Liberation Army, Majeed Brigade and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement were working with Al-Qaeda and posed “a grave threat to regional and international peace and security.”

“Our law enforcement officials and civilians continue to make enormous sacrifices to terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. Earlier this month, 12 Pakistani soldiers were martyred in our bordering regions, while combating TTP terrorist infiltrators from Afghanistan,” Dar said.

He added that digital platforms and social media were also being exploited by these groups for propaganda and incitement to violence. “This cannot be tolerated under any circumstances,” he emphasised.

Dar proposed the creation of a working group of experts from OIC member states to prepare a roadmap with reciprocal steps addressing the full range of issues facing Afghanistan.

The deputy prime minister stressed that Pakistan remained committed to supporting a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan but said this required “mutual respect, sincerity and demonstration of necessary political will by the Taliban authorities to help us to help themselves.”

“No country desired to see normalcy and stability return to Afghanistan more than Pakistan,” he said, adding that the destinies of both neighbours were “intertwined.”