Operation Azm-e-Istehkam (Urdu:آپریشن عزم استحکام) is acounter-insurgency operation launched by thegovernment of Pakistan in June 2024.[3] The operation was approved by prime ministerShehbaz Sharif.[4] The operation will include not only military action, but also socio-economic uplift to deter extremism.[5]
Etymology
Azm-e-Istehkam translates to "Resolve for Stability".Azm (عزم) means "resolve", whileIstehkam (استحکام) means "stability" inUrdu. The phrase Azm-e-Istehkam has been chosen by the government to emphasise onto the non-kinetic[further explanation needed] parameters of the operation aimed at socio-economic upliftment to counter extremism.[6]
The situation in erstwhile FATA further complicated with the emergence ofTehreek-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Local Pakistani jihadi fighters that had previously foughtSoviets, with support fromCentral Asian militant groups along with Arab fighters ofal-Qaeda, in 2007 formed TTP.
The TTP emerged as one of the most lethal groups with the goal to overthrowGovernment of Pakistan in Islamabad and replace it with a Taliban-style government.
History of Pakistan's previous military campaigns
Responding to the threat posed by the Islamists, Pakistan Army under command of General Kayani's tenure started to turn the tide in its war against terrorism. In order to contain the militants General Kayani launched series of military campaigns to recapture areas fallen in the hands of militants from 2007 to 2013 beginning withOperation Rah-e-Haq. The campaign that launched by Kayani ended with success ofOperation Zarb-e-Azb in late 2016. Pakistan Army under the Kayani Doctrine was able to capture six tribal agencies and four settled districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa includingSwat andSouth Waziristan, which were two strongholds of TTP.
Area fromBara till the border ofTirah Valley returned to government control under Operation Khyber-1
Under Operation Khyber-2 the mainTirah Valley cleared and returned under government control by 15 June 2015, marking the first anniversary ofOperation Zarb-e-Azb
Area beyondTirah Valley returned to government control under Khyber-3 that ended in July 2017
The last valley in Tirah, Rajgal Valley, located onPakistan-Afghanistan border, was recaptured and secured by 21 August 2017.
Unlike previous military campaign operation was not aimed at regaining lost territory but to purge Pakistan of sleeper cells that escaped across country
375,000 intelligence-based operations conducted as of 2021
According to Delhi-based South Asian Terrorism Portal (SATP) 2019 was post peaceful year for Pakistan since the time of start of insurgency in 2004, the suicide attacks in Pakistan in 2019 was decreased to 8 from record high of 85 in 2009.
The seven tribal agencies ofFATA merged intoKhyber-Pakhtunkhwa for effective governance in 2018.
Resurgence of New wave of terrorism sincefall of Kabul in 2021
With help of military campaigns Pakistan Army was able to push back TTP into Afghanistan from where it continues to launch terrorist attacks on Pakistan. By 2014, the casualty rates fromterrorism in the country as a whole dropped by 40% as compared to 2011–2013, with even greater drops noted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa despite a largemassacre of schoolchildren byTTP terrorists in the province in December 2014. The reduction in hostilities eventually changed the conflict from a war to a relatively low-level conflict. However,massacre of schoolchildren in Peshawar and continues sense of insecurity forced Pakistani political leadership to draftNational Action Plan.
National Action Plan 2014 and Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad 2017
In line withNational Action Plan, Pakistan launchedOperation Radd-ul-Fasaad under its commanderCOASQamar Javed Bajwa. This operation was launched in order clean-off militants that escaped across country due to army's earlier campaigns inFATA. The operation was aimed at consolidating efforts of previous military campaigns.
Radd-ul-Fasaad vowed to tackle cross border militancy, purge sleeper cells in Urban Pakistan, flush of remnants militants escaped across country, and pursuit National Action Plan.The operation entailed the conduct of Broad Spectrum Security (Counter Terrorism) operations byRangers inPunjab andSindh, and by theFrontier Corps inBalochistan andKhyber-Pakhtunkhwa and focus on more effective border security management. Countrywide disarmament and explosive control were also given as additional objectives of the operation. TheNational Action Plan was pursued as the hallmark of this operation.[8][9]
As a result ofRadd-ul-Fasaad, TTP suffered huge losses and divided into various splinter groups that weakened its operational capabilities. According to Delhi-based South Asian Terrorism Portal (SATP) 2019 was post peaceful year for Pakistan since the time of start of insurgency in 2004. According to SATP, The suicide attacks in Pakistan in 2019 was decreased to 8 from record high of 85 in 2009. By 2021, More than 375,000 operations have been carried out against terrorists, including over 150,000 in Sindh, 3,4000 in Punjab, more than 80,000 in Balochistan and over 92,000 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[10]
Operation was a tactical victory for Pakistan as country saw consolidation of gains ofOperation Zarb-e-Azb by further denting the terrorist capability to carry out activities against Pakistan which was visible in drastic drop in suicide and IED attacks. Yet it deemed as a strategic failure due to failure of operation to achieve objectives ofNational Action Plan. The country failed to foster durable peace, specially afterTaliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. The political change in Afghanistan triggered new wave of terrorism in Pakistan. Since 2022 Pakistan has seen a visible uptick in terrorism-related incidents.
Resurgence in Insurgency since August 2021
After 2019, country saw slow implementation on the National Action Plan specially on its primary aim of combating extremism. Resultantly sincefall of Kabul in August 2021, Pakistan is confronted with renewed threat of terrorism as TTP has been injected with fresh dose of strength due to the victory of Taliban in Afghanistan. The fresh recruits, easy access to US made weapons, and a sanctuary under the shadow ofAfghan Taliban have once again bolstered the TTP to again target Pakistan. In 2023, Pakistan saw an increase in terror incidents, especially inBalochistan andKhyber Pakhtunkhwa after the banned militant groupTehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan terminated itsceasefire with the government in November 2022.[11][12][7]
In 2022 After failure ofnegotiations, the TTP and the government announced a ceasefire in June 2022. However, in November 2022, the TTP renounced the ceasefire and called for nationwide attacks against Pakistan.
Surge in terrorism led Pakistan to strike on TTP safe havens present on Afghan soil. On 16 April 2022, thePakistani military conductedpredawnairstrikes on multiple targets inAfghanistan'sSpera District ofKhost andShultan District ofKunarprovinces. Afghan officials said the attacks killed at least 47 civilians and injured 23 others. Initial reports described the attacks as eitherrocket strikes or aerial strikes carried out by a number of aircraft of thePakistan Air Force, and Afghan officials claimed the operation was carried out by Pakistanimilitary helicopters andjets. Pakistani officials initially denied Pakistan carried out the airstrikes, but Pakistani security officials later claimed the airstrikes involveddrone strikes from inside Pakistani airspace, and that no aircraft were deployed. Some reports said the Pakistani airstrikes also targeted parts ofPaktika Province. According to the Pakistani media and some Afghan media outlets, the attacks targeted militants belonging toTehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
On 18 March 2024, in response to the attack from Afghanistan,Pakistan Air Force carried out two intelligence based airstrikes on Afghanistan's eastern border provinces ofKhost andPaktika. The Afghan government claim that Pakistan killed five women and three children. Pakistan denies this, claiming that it killed terrorists instead while targeting theHafiz Gul Bahadur militant group, a splinter organisation of thePakistani Taliban, and that it had successfully killed Sehra alias Janan, a high-value target commander. Another commander, Abdullah Mehsud, was claimed to have been killed, but later released a video refuting the claim. It was also reported that Mehsud's house was targeted in which his wife and a minor son was killed. Pakistan went on to blame thePakistani Taliban and its splinter militias for the deaths of hundreds of Pakistani civilians, and claimed that they usedAfghanistan as a base and that they had support from within theTaliban.
Given the deteriorating law and order situation in North-West Pakistan, on 7 April 2023, Pakistan'sNational Security Committee under leadership ofPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decided to launch a new military operation to root out militants posing threats to its western regions. The meeting was also attended by the Pakistan's new military leadershipCOASAsim Munir andCJCSCSahir Shamshad Mirza.
On 22 June 2024, Pakistan's Apex Committee onNational Action Plan approved a new operation codenamed as Azb-e-Istehkam (Resolve for Stability) that is meant to address slow implementation of National Action Plan specially by addressing its vow of healing extremism across Pakistan.
Approval and launch
On 22 June 2024, the operation was approved during a meeting of the Apex Committee onNational Action Plan inIslamabad.[13] The meeting was chaired by Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif and attended by key federal cabinet members, chief ministers from all provinces includingGilgit-Baltistan,Azad Jammu and Kashmir, provincial chief secretaries, services chiefs, and others.[4]
Pakistan Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif clarified on 25 June 2024 that "Operation would not be large scale operation.Sharif said Operation Azm-e-Istehkam is being "misunderstood" and compared to previous military operations such as OperationZarb-e-Azb andOperation Rah-e-Nijat. He said militants in these operations were killed for creating "no-go areas" in the country and for challenging the writ of the state, adding that they caused massive displacement of the population. There are currently no such no-go areas in the country as the ability of terrorist organizations to carry out large-scale organised operations inside Pakistan has been decisively defeated by past armed operations. Therefore, no large-scale military operation which would require population displacement is being contemplated.Its objective is to instill a new spirit and drive in the ongoing implementation of the revisedNational Action Plan, which was launched after a national consensus in the political arena. Operation Azm-e-Istekam is a multi-domain, multi-agency and national vision to bring about sustainable peace and stability in the country.[14][15]
The Operation is primarily aimed at speeding-up implementation of the Pakistan'sNational Action Plan (NAP) which was conceived in an aftermath of politico-military consensus in 2014 to combat extremism and terrorism within Pakistan. According toPMO statement, following objectives has been laid down in line with NAP.[18]
The main objective of the operation is to end extremism and terrorism decisively and comprehensively.[4][19] The operation aims to coordinate and coordinate efforts on multiple fronts to counter these threats, while intensifying efforts to curb terrorist activities through regional cooperation in the political and diplomatic arenas.[4]
Balochistan Liberation Army carried out an attack on a military base inKalat allegedly claiming to have killed twelve soldiers, however official reports acknowledged the deaths of twoFrontier Corps soldiers.
Three militants were also killed in the attack.[20]
25 June
Military related handles onX released a footage of drone strike on Masjilis-e-Askari Karwan of terrorists belonging toHafiz Gul Bahadur group ofTehreek Taliban Pakistan in the Darga Peerpal area ofBannu District. Reportedly, three terrorists were claimed to be neutralied.[22][23]
A policeman was wounded in an attack on a police post inOrakzai District.
Two militants were killed and three were wounded in an operation in Sra Derga area ofBannu District.[20]
Seven were injured when threw grenades on the security forces vehicles inNorth Waziristan.[20]
Three civilians were wounded in a militant attack near a police patrol.[20]
Pakistani authorities report the arrests of Commander Nasrullah and Commander Idress inQuetta, who were two keyPakistani Taliban commanders.[24] Moreover, six militants and two Pakistani soldiers were killed inHassan Khel Tehsil,Peshawar District, during military raids on multiple hideouts.[25]
On 27 June, inTank District, military raids on insurgent bases killed ten militants[25] and a military operation inBagh,Khyber District resulted in the deaths of seven militants and five Pakistani soldiers.[25]
The house of Aslam Khan a tribal leader in theLakki Marwat District was attacked by militants but caused no casualties.[20] Moreover, a police station inPeshawar was attacked by militant rockets causing no casualties.[20]
Pakistani ambassador to the United States, requested military aid including modern weaponry to aid in Operation Azm-e-Istehkam as well as addressing the need for strengthening of military ties between the two countries for fighting terrorism diplomatic comeback in Kabul.[26][27][28]
Rahat Khan, an influential person inSwabi was killed by unknown militants.[20]
Thirteen labourers were abducted fromTank District by militants, nine were rescued by a police operation.[20]
29 June
A civilian was killed and his son wounded in a militant attack inBalochistan.[20]
A gas pipeline was damaged inBolan District suspected to be a militant attack.[20]
The son of a local peace committee member was killed inTank District.[20]
Two soldiers were killed in a rocket and grenade attack in Takhta Baig area ofKhyber District.[20]
A logistical vehicle carrying food for soldiers was targeted by militants.[20]
July 2024
1 July
Three people were killed in a roadside bombing inTurbat District, Balochistan.[30] Along with two members of security forces were killed in a rocket attack on their post inJamrud, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[30]
Seven militants were killed in a military operation inTirah includingPakistani Taliban commanders, Najeeb Abdul Ur Rehman and Ishfaq Muavia and two more militants were killed in a separate engagement inLakki Marwat.[31][32]
A traffic Policeman was killed by militants inPeshawar.[33]
A person allegedly a militant was captured during a raid inAwaran District.[33]
Three civilians were killed and one injured in an attack inTurbat.[33]
Moreover, anIED bombing inBajaur District killed senatorHidayat Ullah, who was campaigning in an election run-up, initial death toll was reported to be three[38] but later rose to five.[39][40]
Also, Pakistani security forces carried out an intelligence based operation inBajaur District andPakistani Taliban Commander Irfan Ullah after a firefight between security forces and militants.[42][43]
Islamabad police foiled a terror attack ahead ofMuharram by capturing a large amount of weapons and explosives after a firefight with militants who managed to flee.[45][46]
Two Policemen were killed and two wounded in an attack on a police station inKashmore District.[33]
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan announced the launch of a retaliatory Operation Azm-e-Shariat to counter Operation Azm-e-Istehkam.[33]Jamaat-ul-Ahrar announced the launch of their own Operation Al Ra'ad.[33]
An engagement inHassan Khel Tehsil of thePeshawar District led to the deaths of four security personnel and three militants including militant commander Abdul Raheem.[62][63]
InKalat District military carried out an offensive advancing rapidly in multiple areas such as Harboi, Iskalkoo, Chuto, Chashma, Maimonki, Aab-e-Dok, and also in the surroundings ofKalat District.[33]
ThePakistani Taliban launched two coordinated attacks on themilitary cantonment in Bannu.[68][69][70] A militant attacked the base with a vehicle loaded with explosives while another exploded a suicide vest outside the perimeter of the base. Eight soldiers and ten militants were killed[71] and about 141 people including 7 civilians were wounded in the attacks.[72] At least eight civilians were amongst the injured.[73] Several houses and buildings were damaged.[69] The attack caused significant casualties but was unsuccessful in its main aim to penetrate and capture the garrison.[74]
Jaish-e-Fursaan-e-Muhammadi, a faction within theHafiz Gul Bahadur group of thePakistani Taliban claimed responsibility.[68] Military helicopters were dispatched to the region and ground troops were also deployed in the region.[73]
Five civilians (two children and two female health operatives) were killed in a militant attack on a health facility inDera Ismail Khan. The military then engaged the militants, killing three of them. Two soldiers died in the skirmishes.[76][77]
Militants attacked a Police checkpoint inBannu District but the attack was thwarted by a police counterattack.[33]
17 July
Four alleged separatists were detained fromAwaran District by security forces personnel.[33]
One soldier was killed and two wounded in aBalochistan Liberation Front attack on their post inKech District while two more were killed and another wounded in a separate attack in the same district.[33]
22 July
Militants destroyed a government run girls school inNorth Waziristan completely razing its seven classrooms however, no casualties were reported.[82]
Moreover, three Policemen were wounded in a bomb blast near their vehicle inKhyber District.[83]
A civilian driver was killed and two wounded in militant attacks inHarnai District.[33]
InHoshab, Balochistan, Pakistan Army conducted an intelligence based operation killing one militant while wounding two others. Their weapons and ammunition were also confiscated and a further clearance operation was carried out.[85]
A gas pipeline from Sui to Karachi was damaged by Baloch Republican Guards inKashmore District.[33]
Two policemen were injured in a militant attack on a security post inSwat District, the militants managed to flee.[33]
25 July
Seventeen surrenderedPakistani Taliban militants initially set free by the government in exchange for their surrender were rearrested inBannu byKhyber Pakhtunkhwa Police as a part of a new campaign to spare no militants, their vehicles, weapons and ammunition were seized.[86]
A counter terrorism unit of police was attacked inMohmand District, the clash resulted in the deaths of one policeman and a militant.[33]
Two police officers were targeted inDera Ismail Khan by militants but evaded their attack.[33]
Four people allegedly separatists were detained by security forces inQuetta.[33]
Security Forces attacked a vehicle inKech District and detained its occupants who were allegedly separatists.[33]
Two people were killed inMingora by militants.[33]
29 July
Three militants and a policeman were killed in an intelligence based operation inMohmand District while a wanted militant Satifullah was killed and three militants were wounded in an engagement inDera Ismail Khan and a militant was killed in an engagement with security forces inNorth Waziristan.[89]
An attack on aBalochistan Levies post in Milizai area ofPishin resulted in the deaths of two levies personnel.[91] Another attack on the same post just after eight hours wounded a policeman.[91]
Moreover, an attack on Charwazgai check post inKhyber District claimed the lives of two policemen as well as wounding another, a civilian security guard at a nearby gas station was also wounded.[91]
A private security vehicle was hijacked by militants who stole more than 50 million PKR.[33]
Three people including a retired security personnel and his two relatives were killed inNorth Waziristan by militants.[33]
Two policemen were killed in a militant attack on their convoy inTank District while escorting the vehicles of two judges. The judges however remained safe.[93]
A tribal jirga inLakki Marwat asked the military to launch a comprehensive campaign to flush out all militants from the territory of the district as the militants were reported to become a serious threat to local security.[95]
5 August
Two people were including a teacher were killed by militants inSouth Waziristan.[92]
Militants attacked security company vehicle inDera Ismail Khan and looted PKR 8 million from it.[92]
Two hand grenade explosions were reported at Sardar Bahadur Khan Women's University inQuetta during pre-independence day celebrations.[92]
A police station was attacked inNasirabad District by militants, no casualties were reported.[92]
9 August
InTirah, militants attacked three Pakistan Army positions along the border withAfghanistan, a heavy gun battle ensued between the security forces and militants ofHafiz Gul Bahadur group resulting in the confirmed deaths of four soldiers.[b]
Pakistan Army (local sources reported six military fatalities) personnel and four militants, about twelve soldiers were also wounded,[99] the militants also claimed to have destroyed anArmoured Personnel Carrier and a military excavator, moreover artillery shells were also launched in the area.[100]
InBannu a police SHO and two other officers were wounded in a militant attack on a police patrol, a civilian was killed and two civilians were wounded.[100]
A policeman was also killed by militants in a separate incident inBannu.[92]
10 August
Three civilians were injured in a bomb blast targeting a police vehicle inAwaran District, the police vehicle suffered no damages.[101]
An Oil and Gas Company employee survived an abduction attempt by militants inLakki Marwat District.[92]
Four soldiers including an officer were injured in a militant attack in North Waziristan.[92]
The vehicle of a SHO was attacked by militants but caused no casualties.[92]
Militants carried out three rockets attacks inTurbat.[92]
12 August
Three Afghan civilians were killed in cross border skirmishes betweenAfghan Taliban andPakistan Army, three Pakistani troops were also wounded in the skirmishes.[103]
FourFrontier Corps personnel were killed and 27 others were wounded in militant attacks on their posts inSouth Waziristan, a search operation was launched against the perpetrators.[104]
The Deputy Commissioner ofPanjgur District, Zakir Baloch, was killed and Municipal Committee Chairman, Abdul Malik Baloch was injured in a militant attack on their vehicle.[92]
13 August
A policeman was killed and another wounded in a grenade attack on a police checkpost inLower Dir, with police retaliation forcing the militants to flee.[105]
Militants also carried out an attack on a check post atShangla's tourist destination Yakhtangay but was thwarted by strong police retaliation.[105]
A child was killed and 12 wounded, in militant attacks at a hotel and a bridge nearQuetta Railways station.[105]
A check post inQuetta was also attacked by militants but caused no casualties.[105]
Militants also attacked a post inNoshki district, causing no casualties.[105] *InKhyber district, police claimed having repulsed two militant attacks, one on a police post and another near a protest camp by effectively engaging the militants.[105]
A tribal elder was killed and another was severely wounded in a militant attack inBajaur District.[92]
Balochistan Liberation Army carried out a bomb blast at Sariab Mill Girls College inQuetta during preparations for independence day celebration.[92]
Nawab Ghaus Bakhsh School inQuetta was also targeted with a bomb blast on August 13 in an explosion during preparations for independence day celebration.[92]
Militants attacked a post inPanjgur District but no casualties were reported.[92]
A bomb blast took place at Bugti Stadium inKharan District causing no casualties. Six militants and four soldiers were killed in an engagement inSouth Waziristan.[92] *Two militants involved in the killing of the Panjgur DC were killed inPanjgur District.[92]
Two people were killed and three wounded in militant attacks on civilian houses inQuetta.[92]
A girls' high school on Munir Mengal Road inQuetta was attacked by militants.[92]
14 August
InSouth Waziristan, a checkpost and a police station were attacked by militants but the militants were repulsed after an intense battle, the checkpost wasn't damaged but a civilian house was hit by aMortar shell.[105]
A bomb blast occurred at a military checkpoint inNushki District; no casualties were reported.[92] Unknown militants attacked a military camp inKech District using heavy weaponry causing significant material damage.[92]
A singer was detained inQuetta by security forces over allegations of being a separatist. A man was killed by militants inKech District.[92]
Two alleged separatists were detained fromKharan District by security forces.[92]
Balochistan Liberation Front attacked seven military posts and a military camp inAwaran District killing six soldiers and wounding eleven more and also two checkpoints and military camp inKech District killing three soldiers and wounding seven, militant casualties were unclear.[92][c]
15 August
A huge police contingent including special operatives andArmoured Personnel Carriers was deployed inDadu District against heavily armed militants who had previously killed a policeman, police operations were carried out in Mondar, Ismail Ja Bhan, Keti Jatoi and surrounding villages.[106]
Seven militants were killed and five others were wounded in an intelligence based military operation carried out inKurram District, their weapons and ammunition amongst other items were seized and a subsequent clearance operation was launched in the area.[107]
A large militant contingent, of around fifty to sixty militants attacked Lakhani police post at the border of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but the police launched its own counterattack forcing the militants to retreat.[108]
A policeman was wounded in a militant attack inLower Dir.[92]
A pro-government "death squad" member was killed by unknown militants in Balochistan and a civilian was killed by the "death squad" group inKech District.[92]
TwoShia civilians were wounded in a militant attack on their bus inDera Ismail Khan, the bus went out of control further injuring three civilians.[110]
A police station was attacked by militants inNasirabad District, no casualties were reported.[92] A military post was attacked by militants inTurbat.[92]
Five dead bodies ridden with bullets were recovered fromChagai District.[92]
Three militants were killed and another one wounded in a military operation inNorth Waziristan.[111]
17 August
A suspected separatist was captured by security forces fromKharan District.[92]
Three people were wounded in a bomb blast near Balochistan University inQuetta.[92]
A civilian was killed and another wounded in a militant attack inTurbat.[92]
Two soldiers were killed and three were wounded in a militant attack on their convoy inDera Ismail Khan while a policeman was killed and three others wounded in another militant attack inLakki Marwat.[112]
A Tablighi Jamat affiliated businessman was killed by militants inBajaur District.[92]
Two Police personnel including an SHO were killed in a militant attack inLakki Marwat.[92]
19 August
Militants ofPakistani Taliban andLashkar-e-Islam started their own patrols questioning the writ of government inTirah as the police and levies had retreated from the area.[113]
Three more militants involved in the assassination of Panjgur DC murder were killed in an operation inMastung District.[114]
Two Police personnel were wounded in a militant attack inHangu District.[92]
A large scale military operation was started inKalat District,gunships and helicopters were dispatched, artillery strikes were carried out and multiple strikes were reported.[92]
20 August
Security Forces were attacked by militants inNushki District damaging a military vehicle.[92]
Three SNGPL employees were kidnapped by militants fromBannu.[119]
25 August
23 civilians[120] were killed after being offloaded from their vehicles and their IDs being checked byBalochistan Liberation Army militants, the reason for the killing was described as belonging to thePunjabi ethnic group.[121]
Several engagements tool place between law enforcement and militants in Balochistan leading to the deaths of at least twelve militants.[122]
Militant attacks inKalat District lead to eleven deaths including law enforcement.[122]
Militants attacked a police station in Pasni, wounding policemen and destroying three vehicles.[122]
A police station in Suntsar was ransacked with the militants capturing weaponry.[122]
ABalochistan Levies station was attacked in Khadkocha with the personnel being taken captive.[122]
Multiple other engagements tool place inKalat, four Levies personnel, a policeman, two civilians and a tribal leader were amongst those killed.[122] Assistant commissioner of Kalat was wounded and four Levies personnel were wounded.[122]
Many engagements occurred at the Quetta-Karachi highway with the traffic being blocked.[122] Levies and police stations inMastung,Sibi,Panjgur,Mastung,Turbat, Bela, andQuetta were also attacked by militants.[122]
A railway track linking Pakistan and Iran was destroyed nearMastung.[122]
The total death toll of the militant attacks in Balochistan was reported to be 26 civilians, 14 law enforcement personnel and 21 militants,[123] later the toll was reported to be 73–74 with only the civilian casualties being revised.[124][125]
Balochistan Liberation Army claimed that the attacks on the previous day, names as Operation Fidayeen Herof had killed 120 soldiers and they had briefly captured a military camp inLas Bela, the blockades on high way were lifted. Fidayeen Unit,Majeed Brigade, Special Tactics Operations Unit took part in this "operation".[92][d] However, most Pakistani and international sources state that only 14 Pakistani servicemen were killed.[126]
As a result of attacks against civilians and servicemen by theBalochistan Liberation Army which left over 70 dead, the Pakistani army ramped up operations and neutralised 5 BLA insurgents.[129]
Two alleged separatists were captured by security forces fromKech District.[92]
31 August
The Pakistani military intensified IBOs in theTirah valley, killing 37 insurgents, including their ringleader, Abu Dhar, alias Saddam. The IBOs were carried out by theSpecial Service Group, and Pakistani casualties were said to be kept to a minimum.[130]
Three militants were killed and four soldiers were injured in an operation inSouth Waziristan.
Two bomb disposal unit personnel were wounded in a militant attack inSouth Waziristan.[92]
A bomb blast inBajaur led to the death of one person and wounding of two others.[131]
Two people were wounded in a bomb blast inQuetta.[131]
Two Policemen were injuredinMianwali during a militant attack.[132]
2 September
Three soldiers of theFrontier Constabulary and four private security guards were returned as a result of negotiations with militants.[132]
Militants destroyed a government school inBuner and then as a police vehicle reach the area it was targeted in an IED attack but caused no casualties.[132]
3 September
A police officer was killed by militants inQuetta.[132]
Pakistan Army andAfghan Taliban clashed in multiple areas ofKhost District andKurram District[134] resulting in the deaths of at least eight Taliban including two commanders of the Afghan Taliban, Khalil and Jan Muhammad and further wounding of sixteen Afghan Taliban.[135] Five Pakistani personnel were also killed in the skirmishes.[134] Open Source Intelligence also claimed one soviet-eraT-62 tank operated by Afghan Taliban destroyed by the Pakistani forces.[136][137]
Counter Terrorism Department conducted 71 operations throughoutPunjab capturing nine militants as well as recovering explosives, two grenades, 26 detonators, 73 ft fuse wire, ammunition, guns, mobile phones, and cash.[141]
An alleged separatist was captured fromGwadar.[132]
Five people, including three civilians and two Levies personnel were killed and three personnel were wounded in a clash over the "illegal" abduction of an alleged separatist.[132]
The house of a Police officer was attacked by militants inLakki Marwat District, eventually becoming a large scale fire exchange between the insurgents and armed local civilians.[132]
Twopolio vaccine personnel were abducted by militants inDera Ismail Khan District but later released on the condition of no longer participating in vaccination campaign.[132]
Two alleged Baloch separatists were captured by security forces.[132]
24 September
An alleged Baloch separatist was captured fromSargodha.[132]
A police post was attacked by militants nearPeshawar but a large police contingent was deployed and retaliated inflicting losses on the insurgents forcing them to retreat.[132]
A militant was killed and six more wounded while two soldiers were wounded in an operation inNorth Waziristan.[132]
Militants attacked a police station inSwat District. However the locals came to the defense of the police personnel and the combined contingent of police and locals repelled the militants.[132]
Nine soldiers were killed and 11 wounded in aBaloch Republican Army bomb attack on a convoy followed by a barrage of rockets and automatic weapons, inDera Bugti.[143]
Two militants and a policeman were killed and another policeman was wounded in an attack on a polio vaccination team inOrakzai District.[143]
30 October
Eight militants and three soldiers were killed while seven militants were wounded in an operation inBannu District.[143]
31 October
Two soldiers were killed in a grenade attack on a checkpost inKhyber District.[143]
November 2024
1 November
Nine people including five school children were killed and 29 others wounded in an explosion targeting a Police van near the Civil Hospital and Girls School Chowk inMastung.[144]
Ten alleged separatists were detained from the National University of Modern Language inRawalpindi.[144]
Five insurgents and four soldiers were killed during a clash inSouth Waziristan.[144]
8 November
Six insurgents of theHafiz Gul Bahadar group were killed, and six more wounded during an operation conducted by the military inNorth Waziristan District, a cache of arms and ammunition was also captured.[144]
A Policeman was killed by insurgents inPeshawar outside his home.[144]
Four separatists, including a "high-value target" were killed in a military operation inKech District.[144]
Baloch insurgents reportedly blocked Jafri Kaur, Khwari Checkpoint and Chai, along the Coastal Highway between Ormara and Pasni, multiple vehicles transporting minerals were set alight.[144]
In Ormara, separatists attacked a Levies Force post and a Coast Guard camp seizing weapons and equipment as well as inflicting casualties.[144]
A suicide bomber targeted a Police mobile unit inCharsadda District causing damage but no casualties.[144]
13 militants and five civilians were killed as a result of an explosion in a bomb making factory of 'commander' Jihadyar inNorth Waziristan District.[144]
Two people were killed and two wounded in an attack on a convoy inKhuzdar District.[144]
Nine insurgents and eight soldiers were killed during clashes inTirah, seven soldiers and six insurgents were also wounded.[144]
Seven Policemen were abducted in an ambush inBannu District, their weapons and equipment was also seized but the policemen were released the next day.[144]
Twelve soldiers and six insurgents were killed in an attack on a checkpost inBannu District and 10 other soldiers were wounded, the attack included a suicide attack as well.[144]
20 November
A military convoy was ambushed inMastung District including an IED attack followed by rocket fire.[144]
Six people were killed and five border guards wounded in a major attack by 35 insurgents on a border post in Hangu-North Waziristan border region.[145]
Six insurgents were killed and eight wounded in a military operation inTank District.[145]
22 insurgents and six soldiers were killed in three engagements across KP.[145]
Two alleged separatists are captured from Balochistan.[145]
Two Policemen were killed while two other wounded in a militant attack on a post inShangla District.[145]
17 December
Three soldiers were killed and three wounded in an IED attack on a military vehicle working for security of a polio vaccination team inDera Ismail Khan District.[145]
Afghanistan and Pakistani forces heavily skirmished on the Dande Pattan-Kurram Border but no casualties or damages were reported.[145]
Five insurgents and an Army Major were killed and eight insurgents were wounded in a military operation inNorth Waziristan District while six more insurgents were killed and an additional eight insurgents were wounded in an operation inSouth Waziristan District.[145]
Two soldiers were killed and Eleven were wounded in clashes inBajaur District.[145]
28 December
A Frontier Constabulary soldier was killed and Eleven were wounded during skirmishes with Afghan forces while fifteen afghan soldiers were also killed in skirmishes.[145]
Pakistani Taliban published a video of capturing a border post inBajaur District, with military sources claiming that the post had been abandoned and soldiers had already been relocated to a newly built more fortified position.[145]
BLA attacked soldiers and local pro-government tribal militiamen while they were conducting an operation inMastung District.[145]
Four soldiers were killed and two more were wounded in a BLF attack on a military post protecting FWO personnel inAwaran District and also struck FWO headquarters.[150]
A soldier and six insurgents were killed during skirmishes as insurgents raided an aid convoy inKurram District, in total there were 10 fatalities.[150]
Separatists conducted twin bombings and raids targeting military personnel inKalat District.[150]
A worker of the Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited was killed and another wounded in an IED attack on their vehicle inQila Saifullah District.[150]
22 rehabilitated insurgents were handed over to the Lakki Marwat Qaumi Jirga.[150]
Two Policemen were killed and three wounded in an IED attack on their vehicle inKashmore.[150]
A bus was struck by a high intensity IED nearKhuzdar killing two intelligence personnel.[150]
A JUI-F politician was assassinated inPeshawar.[150]
An alleged separatist was captured fromTurbat.[150]
An insurgent attack on a border post was repulsed by military forces inNorth Waziristan.[150]
Six insurgents and two soldiers were killed in a clash inNorth Waziristan District after insurgents attempted an assault on a military position.[150]
Separatists blocked the N-85 highway and killed an ethnic Punjabi inKech District.[150]
27 January
AFrontier Constabulary personnel was killed and four others wounded in an insurgent assault on Baran Dam of Bannu District.[150]
Five separatists including two suicide bombers and two soldiers were killed in a skirmish following an infiltration attempt at the Gulistan fort inKila Abdullah District and two more were killed during a second such attempt later at night.[150]
Insurgents killed a policeman and two civilians in a drive by attack inKhyber District.[150]
Seven insurgents and two soldiers were killed during a clash following a failed ambush inNorth Waziristan District. Six more insurgents and two more soldiers were killed in a separate clash in North Waziristan.[150]
Insurgents kidnapped the president of "Tirah traders" association and other tribesmen.[150]
31 January
A civilian was killed and a policeman was severely wounded in a sniper attack on a bunker in Kurram District.[150]
18 paramilitary personnel and 12 insurgents were killed during a clearance operation in Mangochar.[150]
AC and two Policemen were wounded in an attack as the commissioner was going for negotiations to stop firing between Shia and Sunni tribesmen in Kurram.[150]
Separatists blocked NH65 highway and kidnapped a civilian inBolan District, but were forced to withdraw following skirmishes with security forces.[151]
11 February
Eleven alleged separatists were captured fromPasni.[151]
Four soldiers were killed and two were wounded in a BLF rocket attack in Pir Ghaib.
A soldier was killed and three were wounded in a BLF rocket attack on a military camp inKharan.[151]
A school principal survived an assassination attempt inTurbat.[151]
Nine insurgents were killed in a military operation inDera Ismail Khan District including the newly appointed Shadow Governor of the TTP, Saqib Gandapur.[151]
A soldier was killed and two were wounded in a BLF attack on a military camp inAwaran District.[151]
Five alleged separatists including four brothers were captured fromGwadar District.[151]
BLF conducted grenade attacks at the Degree College checkpoint inQuetta.[151]
BLA conducted grenade attack on military positions in the Brewery area of Quetta.[151]
There was an engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan border forces on Torkham border crossing from both sides, firing on both sides started betweenKhyber District and the correspondingNangarhar province as well asMohmand District and the correspondingKunar province, officials on both sides confirmed no casualties.[151]
BLF conducted three attacks allegedly killing 13 soldiers and wounding 7 in Makshay District.[151]
Four soldiers were killed and five wounded in an insurgent ambush of a joint Commandant Kurram Militia and Frontier Corps convoy inKurram District. Nine civilians were also killed as the aid caravan being escorted also came under attack.[151]
30 insurgents were killed in a military operation in South Waziristan.
Separatists fired unguided bombs were fired into the Red Zone area ofKharan, two of which landed into an open area of the commissioner house with one exploding.[151]
20 insurgents were captured fromKurram District and further clearing operations were being carried out in Ochat, Bagan, Mandori, and surrounding areas.
An IED planted by insurgents in Bannu was neutralised.[151]
Two alleged separatists were captured from Balochistan.[151]
26 February
An alleged separatist was captured fromLyari.[151]
Separatists attacked the residence of a famous local singer inTurbat.[151]
28 February
A civilian was killed and Three were wounded in an IED attack at a medical store inOrakzai District.[151]
Two leaders of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl were assassinated by insurgents inKhuzdar District.[152]
Sindh Rangers and CTD captured a high-profile insurgent Zubair Ahmed alias Zubair from Karachi.[152]
Two soldiers were killed in a suicide VBIED attack on a military convoy inNorth Waziristan District, eight soldiers and two civilians were also wounded.[152]
2 March
A policeman was killed by insurgents in Lahore.[152]
13 insurgents and four soldiers were killed while 13 soldiers were wounded in a coordinated series of attacks in military posts inNorth Waziristan.[152]
Commander of the "Quick Response Force" local militia was killed by Pakistani Taliban inBajaur District.[152]
3 March
An FC soldier was killed and four were wounded in a female suicide bombing in Balochistan.[152]
Eight people, including six Pakistani soldiers were wounded in fire exchanges at the Torkham border crossing inKhyber District forcing civilians to evacuate.[152]
Seven insurgents and two soldiers were killed during a military operation inMohmand District.[152]
An alleged suicide bomber was captured following a shootout inLahore that wounded a civilian.[152]
Pakistani Taliban launched a spring offensive codenamed "Operation Al Khandaq".[152]
Pakistani Taliban attacked two police stations inLakki Marwat District causing no casualties, however two policemen were wounded and an insurgent were killed in an IED attack and shootout.[152]
Insurgents attacked a Police post and conducted raids and grenade attacks on two Police Stations inBannu District.[152]
15 March
A local journalist who was allegedly a separatist was captured fromBarkhan District.[152] of Balochistan on March 15,
A policeman was killed and six more wounded in an IED attack targeting an Anti-Terrorist Force vehicle in Quetta.[152]
A most-wanted insurgent was killed in a police encounter inCharsadda District, a handgun, grenades and other materials were recovered from him.[152]
An Army Major and a soldier were killed in a landmine blast inZhob District.[152]
A soldier was killed and two were wounded by BLA separatists as they blocked a highway and conducted two attacks on military forces inKohlu District.[152]
Pakistan and Afghanistan border forces skirmished inKurram District causing no casualties.[152]
19 March
A large-scale military operation was initiated inDera Bugti District capturing several alleged separatists and establishing checkpoints.[152]
Locals thwarted an insurgent attempt to kidnap soldiers by attacking the insurgents while they attempted to besiege the houses of FC personnel inTirah.[152]
Separatists seized two vehicles, four handguns, four rifles and four mobile phones during an assault inKalat District.[152]
20 March
Ten insurgents and one military officer were killed and three soldiers were wounded in a military operation inDera Ismail Khan District.[152]
Four soldiers were killed and five were wounded in a BLA IED attack targeting a military convoy while an additional soldier was killed and three more were wounded in a separate IED attack inKech District.[152]
A CTD official was killed and a levies official was wounded in a Separatist attack on their vehicle inMastung.[152] * Four bodies of previously captured alleged separatists were recovered fromAwaran District.[152]
Separatists destroyed a part of road in Kolpur.[152]
Separatists attacked a military camp inTurbat inflicting casualties.[152]
Separatists attacked a Levies station and seized a police motorcycle and a vehicle inWashuk District and also blocked roads.[152]
Explosions and fighting was reported inTurbat[152]
Separatists attacked several trucks on a highway inKech District setting some alight.[152]
Police and CTD launched a joint operation, destroying hideouts of Pakistani Taliban commanders inKarak District.[152]
An alleged separatist was captured from Quetta.[152]
Separatists blocked a highway inGwadar District and attacked a bus carrying passengers traveling from Gwadar to Karachi killing six Punjabi civilians.[152]
An insurgent was killed in an encounter inDera Ismail Khan District while a soldier wounded in the previous day's attack also died in the same district.[152]
Three people were killed and 21 were wounded in an attack targeting a Police vehicle in Quetta.[152]
28 March
Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar claims having conducted attacks against military forces for the last two days.[152]
Eight insurgents and seven soldiers were killed while six more soldiers were wounded during a military operation inLakki Marwat District.[152]
Three Policemen and one civilian were in a grenade attack on a police camp in Karachi.[152]
Three soldiers and one civilian were killed in a bomb blast in Gwadar District.[152]
Curfew was imposed in Tank and South Waziristan Districts amid concerns of insurgent attacks.[156]
Pakistani Taliban started demanding protection money from sugar mills inDera Ismail Khan threatening to attack in the case it wasn't paid.[156]
3 April
Insurgents tried to enter a mosque inLakki Marwat District and engaged in a skirmish with locals but a truce was agreed upon and the insurgents withdrew before the arrival of police.[156]
An Ahle-e-Sunnah Wal Jamat affiliate was assassinated in a sectarian attack inPeshawar.[156]
The bullet ridden body of an already captured alleged separatist was discovered inAwaran District and three more such Bodies were recovered fromBarkhan District.[156]
An alleged separatist was captured fromQuetta.[156]
A former local representative was killed and a civilian with him was wounded in an attack on their vehicle inKohat District.[156]
A non-Baloch barber was killed by separatists inQuetta.[156]
A judge and a lawyer were killed by insurgents inMardan District who attacked their vehicle.[156]
Pakistani Taliban attempted to infiltration intoChitral District but encountered severe resistance leading to an hour of battle followed by 45 rounds of mortar being fired into Afghanistan, insurgents suffered heavy casualties.[156]
Three Policemen were killed and 19 were injured in a bomb blast on a Balochistan Constabulary vehicle inMastung District.[156]
Four soldiers and six civilians were wounded in a bomb blast on a patrol vehicle inBajaur District.[156]
Civilians were evacuated and bunkers were destroyed during a limited military operation inTirah.[156]
A major was killed by an IED in the western bypass ofQuetta.[164]
21 July
Pakistani security forces inBannu reported that militantQuadcopter assaults are increasing in frequency, having occurred at-least 8 times in the last two and a half months[165]
An airstrike on theTirah Valley killed at least 20 people, initially the authorities claimed that the strike hit a TTP bomb factory but later investigations revealed it only killed civilians.
10 people were killed and 30 injured in an attack involving militants ramming a car intoFC Headquarters and engaging in a gunfight with FC soldiers after breaking in.
October 2025
8 October
11 soldiers including a major and a lieutenant colonel were killed in an intelligence based operation inOrakzai Agency.[171]
9 October
A major was killed in an intelligence based operation in theDaraban area.[172]
Pakistan launched multiple airstrikes on targets throughout Afghanistan resulting in along-lasting standoff.
A car attack outside the Judicial District Complex inIslamabad killed 12 and injured 36 in what would be the deadliest attack the city faced in nearly a decade,JuA claimed responsibility.
24 November
At least three Pakistani soldiers were killed in a blast targeting the FC HeadquartersPeshawar.[175]
December 2025
9 December
6 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a militant attack on a security checkpoint inKurram Agency[176]
Pakistani think tank PICSS (Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies) stated that the year 2025 was the deadliest for militants in Pakistan in a decade.[178]
Although Pakistan urges the US to provide modern small arms,[28] a spokesperson of the US State Department said "We support Pakistan's efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of its citizens in a manner that promotes the rule of law and protection ofhuman rights."[185] Starting from 3 July, the American and Pakistani troops started two-week-long counterterrorism exercises inPabbi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[36][37]
Notes
^the casualties of other militants are unknown like other BLA and BLF attacks as BLA and BLF don't disclose their casualties
^Three on 9 August, and an officer on 11 August from injuries sustained during the combat[98]
^Casualties were reported by BLF which did not disclose its own losses
^Most Pakistani and international sources reported that 14 soldiers were killed and 21 militants were killed