Security forces killed at least four terrorists, including a key Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander, while thwarting an infiltration attempt from Afghanistan in Bajaur district, the military’s media wing said on Thursday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), troops detected the movement of a group of khwarij attempting to cross into Pakistan from the Afghan side late Wednesday night.
“Own troops effectively engaged and thwarted the infiltration attempt. As a result of precise engagement, four khwarij — including high-value target Amjad alias Mazahim — were sent to hell,” ISPR stated.
The slain militant was reportedly deputy to TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud and served as head of the group’s Rehbari Shura. The government had placed a Rs5 million bounty on him.
ISPR said the killed commander had been actively involved in multiple terrorist attacks inside Pakistan while operating from Afghanistan.
The statement criticised the Afghan interim government for failing to prevent its territory from being used against Pakistan, stressing the need for “concrete measures” to stop cross-border terrorism.
President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces on X, reaffirming the nation’s resolve under Operation Azm-i-Istehkam to eliminate terrorism.
18 terrorists killed in separate Balochistan operations: ISPR
Earlier the same day, security forces killed 18 militants in two separate intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Chiltan range in Quetta and Buleda in Kech.
ISPR said the militants belonged to Fitna al-Hindustan, a term the state uses for India-backed militant groups.
Four militants were killed in Buleda after security forces busted a hideout, while 14 terrorists were neutralised in an intense gunfight in the Chiltan mountains, the military said.
