Pakistani security forces killed 17 militants linked to the Indian-backed group Fitna al-Khawarij during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa late Friday night, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The military’s media wing said troops acted on credible intelligence about the presence of terrorists and launched the raid on the night of September 26–27. “Own troops effectively engaged the khawarij location, and as a result, 17 Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell,” the statement said. Weapons and ammunition were recovered at the scene.
ISPR added that the militants were actively involved in attacks against security forces and law enforcement agencies. A sanitisation operation is continuing in the area to ensure no further militant presence.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the forces for their professionalism and bravery. “This action thwarted the terrorists’ malicious designs and prevented major threats to peace and stability,” he said, saluting the soldiers’ courage and sacrifices. “The people of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with our security forces. Together, we will not allow terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij to find refuge in Pakistan.”
The government reaffirmed its commitment to fully support security agencies in eradicating terrorism and ensuring lasting peace.
Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in cross-border militancy since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in KP and Balochistan. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), militant incidents surged by 74 per cent in August compared to July, leaving 194 people dead.
The Lakki Marwat operation comes as Pakistan, China, Iran, and Russia jointly called on Afghanistan this week to take concrete steps against terrorist groups operating from its soil. In a statement issued after their quadripartite meeting in New York, the four countries urged the Taliban to dismantle training camps, cut off financing, prevent recruitment, and ensure Afghan territory is not used against neighbours.
While no official Indian government statement specific to this Lakki Marwat operation has been reported as of now, India’s broader posture toward such cross-border security operations provides context:
- India has long held that Pakistan harbors or sponsors militant groups that carry out attacks across the Line of Control or into Indian territory. Indian leadership often frames Pakistan-based militant activity as a central security threat.
- In international and diplomatic forums, Indian officials typically demand that Pakistan take action against militant networks operating within its borders, hand over terrorists, and prevent its territory from being used as a safe haven.
- During recent tensions, including the May 2025 episode (Operation Sindoor), India emphasized its response as “measured and targeted” against terror infrastructure while insisting that civilian or sovereign Pakistani military targets were not struck.
Given that backdrop, it is likely that India will view this operation through its usual lens: affirming its security concerns, calling for accountability, and urging Pakistan to dismantle militant networks internally.