The provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan witnessed a surge in security incidents on Wednesday and Thursday, marked by major counter-terrorism operations, multiple militant attacks, and fierce clashes along the Pak-Afghan border. Over the two days, security forces killed dozens of militants, while the region also suffered a devastating traffic accident.
Intense Clashes on Pak-Afghan Border
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, reported that early on the morning of October 15, Afghan Taliban and ‘Fitna Al-Khawarij’ elements launched attacks on the border posts of Kurram and Spin Boldak.
In response to the aggressive incursions, the Pakistani military executed swift and robust retaliatory action. This resulted in the killing of 15 to 20 Afghan Taliban/Fitna Al-Khawarij militants in Spin Boldak and 20 to 25 militants in Kurram. Furthermore, six enemy tanks were destroyed during the engagement.
Security sources confirmed that clashes along the border with Afghanistan continued late into Wednesday evening, where Pakistani forces at the local level effectively repelled the Afghan Taliban attacks.
Counter-Terrorism Operations and Attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Security operations across KP resulted in the elimination of numerous militants and included responses to multiple attacks targeting security personnel and public services.
The ISPR announced on Thursday that during various operations conducted between October 13 and 15, a total of 34 Fitna Al-Khawarij militants were killed across Bannu, North Waziristan, and South Waziristan districts.
Security sources reported that on Thursday, an additional 15 militants who had infiltrated from Afghanistan were killed in the Baizo Bahadur Kili area of Mohmand. Several militants were also reported killed in the same vicinity on Wednesday.
A joint operation involving the Lakki Marwat Police, CTD, security forces, and members of the local community resulted in the killing of one terrorist, with search operations continuing for the remaining militants.
Security sources disclosed that on Wednesday morning, terrorists attacked the Mahmood Zai Post in Orakzai district, leading to the martyrdom of six FC personnel and injuring six others. A large-scale search operation was immediately launched by security forces.
Lakki Marwat Police reported that three police officials on duty at the Khair-o-Khel Exchange were severely wounded in an exchange of fire with terrorists. The militants managed to escape following the police’s retaliatory fire, and a search is underway.
In the remote area of Nizam Pur, Nowshera, terrorists assassinated a police official assigned to protect a polio vaccination team on Wednesday. Following the incident, a large police contingent arrived and commenced operations to apprehend the culprits.
Balochistan Faces Infrastructure Damages and Counter-Insurgency
In Balochistan province, security forces targeted separatist groups while militants carried out acts of sabotage against key infrastructure.
Security sources confirmed that an operation was carried out against Fitna Al-Hindostan (BLA) elements in the vicinity of Mastung last night. Residents reported hearing heavy explosions during the operation. Authorities stated that the terrorists suffered significant casualties.
Authorities reported that in the Rabi Canal area of Balochistan, militants used explosive devices to destroy a 220 KV electricity tower. The same group also launched rocket attacks on an under-construction agricultural university in the area.
Tragic Traffic Accident on Swat Motorway
In a separate, deeply tragic incident, a major traffic accident occurred on the Swat Motorway near Tunnel No. 3 in the Malakand district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A truck overturned, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals and injuring 8 others. The victims included men, women, and innocent children. Rescue 1122 Malakand’s spokesperson stated that medical aid teams and ambulances were dispatched immediately. Joint efforts by the Motorway Police and Rescue 1122 teams successfully extracted all victims from the wreckage, transferring the injured and the deceased to the Bat-khela DHQ Hospital.
