Pakistan’s security forces successfully thwarted a major cross-border infiltration attempt from Afghanistan, eliminating 54 terrorists affiliated with the outlawed Khawarij group, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The operation took place over two nights — April 25-26 and April 26-27 — in the Hassan Khel area of North Waziristan near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Acting on credible intelligence, security forces intercepted a large group of militants attempting to breach the border under cover of darkness.
“All 54 terrorists were neutralized in a swift and decisive operation,” the ISPR said, adding that a significant cache of weapons, explosives, and ammunition was recovered from the slain militants. The group, according to intelligence reports, was acting on the directives of “foreign handlers” to carry out large-scale terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.
The military’s media wing emphasized that the timing of this infiltration attempt — amid baseless accusations from India against Pakistan — clearly indicates who is orchestrating such acts of aggression. “This betrayal by the Khawarij is not only an attack on the state but on the people of Pakistan,” the statement read.
ISPR further highlighted that during a recent meeting of the National Security Committee, it was reiterated that one of India’s strategic goals is to divert Pakistan’s focus away from counterterrorism efforts and provide space to hostile elements operating from Afghan soil.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the security forces for their swift response and praised their professionalism in neutralizing the threat. “The entire nation stands united with our armed forces in the fight against terrorism. This success proves that Pakistan is winning its war against terrorism,” he said.
In a press conference held in Lahore, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the deaths of 54 militants and shared that security personnel had effectively encircled the terrorists from three sides before eliminating them.
ISPR concluded by reaffirming the military’s unwavering commitment to defending Pakistan’s borders and eradicating the menace of terrorism, stating that this was one of the largest single-day eliminations of Khawarij terrorists in the ongoing campaign.
