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ISLAMABAD: The Secretary General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), Major General Mohammed Bin Saeed Al-Moghedi, on Monday met Pakistan&rsquo;s Chief of the Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir at military headquarters in Rawalpindi to discuss regional security and cooperation in counter-terrorism, the Pakistani military&#39;s media wing said. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations, Al-Moghedi called on the field marshal and discussed matters of mutual interest. The meeting focused on regional security dynamics and ways to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts, according to the statement. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to combating terrorism and extremism through collaborative strategies, including intelligence sharing and capacity building among member states. Field Marshal Munir appreciated the role of the IMCTC in fostering stability and promoting coordinated counter-terrorism initiatives across the Islamic world, the statement added. Al-Moghedi, in turn, acknowledged Pakistan&rsquo;s contributions and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and praised the professionalism of Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces. The meeting underscored both sides&#39; resolve to further strengthen institutional collaboration to support peace, stability, and security in the region, ISPR added. According to the statement, the IMCTC delegation is visiting Pakistan Feb. 2-6 and is scheduled to conduct a one-week training program at the National University of Sciences &amp; Technology focused on the reintegration and rehabilitation of extremist elements.

Security

A delegation of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition is visiting Pakistan Feb. 2-6, and is scheduled to conduct a one-week training program at a local university focusing on the reintegration and rehabilitation of extremist elements.

IMCTC secretary general meets Pakistan army chief to boost counterterror cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rejected claims that the federal government or the armed forces have issued directives to depopulate the Tirah Valley, calling the allegations &ldquo;baseless&rdquo; and &ldquo;misleading,&rdquo; according to a statement released by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Sunday.&nbsp;The ministry said it had taken notice of reports and social media claims alleging that residents of Tirah were being forced to leave the area on the orders of the military.&nbsp;&ldquo;These assertions are baseless, malicious, and driven by ulterior motives aimed at creating alarm among the public, spreading disinformation against security institutions, and furthering vested political interests,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;The clarification comes amid reports that residents of Tirah tehsil in Khyber district had begun leaving their homes in anticipation of a possible security operation in the volatile border region near Afghanistan, which has experienced a surge in militant activity in recent months.&nbsp;The information ministry stressed that no directive for the depopulation of Tirah had been issued by either the federal government or the armed forces.&nbsp;It said law enforcement agencies were conducting &ldquo;targeted, intelligence-based operations strictly against terrorist elements,&rdquo; adding that these actions were being carried out with &ldquo;full care to avoid disruption&rdquo; to civilian life.&nbsp;&ldquo;No depopulation or migration is needed or being undertaken,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;&ldquo;It may be noted that the local population is increasingly concerned over the presence of Khwarij and desires peace and stability in Tirah,&rdquo; the ministry added, using the government&rsquo;s term for militant groups.&nbsp;Referring to an earlier notification, the ministry said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government&rsquo;s Relief, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Department had issued a notice on December 26, 2025, reportedly involving Rs4 billion, to facilitate &ldquo;anticipated temporary and voluntary movement of population from certain localities of Tirah (Bagh).&rdquo;&nbsp;According to the statement, the notification called for advance preparedness and relief arrangements, including transportation, food support, cash assistance, and the establishment of transit and registration points.&nbsp;The ministry said the provincial government had clarified that the proposed movement was voluntary and reflected the views of the local population, as conveyed through a representative jirga convened at the district level.&nbsp;It added that the decision took into account seasonal, logistical and contextual considerations and followed a non-camp-based approach.&nbsp;&ldquo;Hence, any stated position of the provincial government or its officials conveyed to the media suggesting that the said migration has anything to do with the armed forces is false and fabricated,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;The ministry added that such claims were being made with &ldquo;malafide intent to gain political capital&rdquo; and to &ldquo;malign security institutions,&rdquo; describing them as &ldquo;highly regrettable.&rdquo;

File Photo - (Associated Press of Pakistan)

Information ministry denies forced depopulation of Tirah Valley, says civilian movement is voluntary, amid reports of displacement linked to anticipated security operations near Afghanistan border region

Pakistan rejects depopulation allegations amid reports of Tirah displacement

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan security forces killed three &ldquo;Indian-backed&rdquo; militants, including a commander, during an operation in the southwest Panjgur district of Balochistan, the military media said in a statement on Sunday.&nbsp;According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Panjgur District of Balochistan on the reported presence of terrorists &ldquo;belonging to the Indian proxy, Fitna al Hindustan.&rdquo;&nbsp;During the conduct of operations, the forces effectively engaged the terrorists, and after an intense fire exchange, &ldquo;three Indian-sponsored terrorists&rdquo; were killed, said the statement.&nbsp;The killed militants included the local area commander Farooq, alias Soro, Adeel, and Waseem, as per the statement.&nbsp;&ldquo;Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were also recovered from the terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area,&rdquo; it added.&nbsp;Last&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/12-indianbacked-militants-killed-in-clearance-operation-after-terrorists-attack-in-police-station-banks-pakistan-army" target="_blank" style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 115, 230);" rel="noopener noreferrer">week</a>, the security forces killed twelve Indian-backed militants in a clearance operation after terrorists carried out activities in Kharan City in the Balochistan province. Over the last year, over 1000 militants were killed in various intelligence and counter-terrorism operations by the security forces in various parts of the country, killing several high-profile commanders while incarcerating others, including the Islamic State media head&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/senior-iskp-media-head-in-pakistan-custody-sources" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sultan Aziz Azzam</a>.&nbsp;The military said that the &ldquo;sanitization operation continues in the surroundings to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;A relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision &lsquo;Azm-e-Istehkam&rsquo; by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,&rdquo; ISPR said.

Pakistan military's media wing says security forces conduct intelligence-based operation in Panjgur, Balochistan, killing three Indian-backed militants including a commander, seizing weapons, and continuing operations.

Pakistan forces kill three Indian-backed militants in Balochistan operation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army Chief and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Wednesday presided over the 273rd Corps Commanders&rsquo; Conference (CCC) held at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, according to a statement by the military media.&nbsp;The meeting conducted a detailed review of internal and external security environments, focusing on evolving threats and operational preparedness, said Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement.&nbsp;&ldquo;Due to the joint efforts of the Government and Pakistan Army and the steadfast support of the Pakistani people, our country is moving gradually but surely toward stability, broader opportunities, and honor and dignity&rdquo;, added the statement.&nbsp;The conference participants reaffirmed that all &ldquo;terrorists, their facilitators, and supporters operating under Indian patronage&rdquo; will be dealt with decisively.&nbsp;Military&rsquo;s top brass vowed that any &ldquo;malicious efforts&rdquo; aimed at undermining Pakistan&rsquo;s unity, security, and stability would not be tolerated, said the statement.&nbsp;The field marshal also paid tribute to the law enforcement agencies, innocent civilians who lost their lives in terrorist activities, and the Armed Forces for &ldquo;their courage, professionalism, and sacrifices&rdquo;, added the statement.&nbsp;The forum also reiterated Pakistan commitment to the people&rsquo;s &ldquo;right to self-determination and their legitimate struggle&rdquo; in Kashmir and Gaza.&nbsp;The CDF Munir also expressed his full confidence in Pakistan Army capability to effectively &ldquo;counter conventional and sub-conventional threats as well as asymmetric challenges&rdquo; to the country sovereignty and territorial integrity, as per the statement.&nbsp;&ldquo;The COAS and CDF directed commanders to maintain the highest standards of operational readiness, discipline, training, physical fitness, technological innovations, and battlefield adaptability,&rdquo; the statement concluded.

Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir led the 273rd Corps Commanders’ Conference, reviewed security threats, vowed action against terrorism, honored sacrifices, and reaffirmed support for Kashmir and Gaza.

Pakistan military leadership vows to crush facilitators of terrorism

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces are continuing a clearance operation at Cadet College Wana, where three India-backed terrorists remain trapped inside a building, security sources said on Wednesday.&nbsp;According to the sources, around 650 people, including 525 cadets, were present at the college when the attack took place. So far, 115 individuals have been safely rescued, while nearly 535 remain inside the premises. Security forces are conducting the operation with utmost caution to ensure the cadets&rsquo; safety.&nbsp;The three attackers, reportedly of Afghan origin, have been confined to an administrative block and are receiving instructions over the phone from handlers across the border, the sources added. The area has been completely cordoned off, and the evacuation of cadets is progressing gradually.&nbsp;On November 10, the terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the college&rsquo;s main gate, destroying it completely and damaging nearby buildings. Security troops responded swiftly, killing two attackers on the spot, while the remaining three were cornered inside the compound.&nbsp;Security officials said the attack was orchestrated by India-sponsored proxies aiming to spread fear by targeting educational institutions and innocent children. They added that the incident disproves claims made by Afghan Taliban authorities that such militants are not operating from Afghan territory.&nbsp;The terrorists are believed to be linked with an Indian proxy outfit, &ldquo;Fitna al-Khawarij&rdquo; or &ldquo;Fitna al-Hindustan,&rdquo; and reportedly tried to replicate the 2014 Army Public School massacre in Peshawar. A message circulating on social media, allegedly from Jaish al-Hind leader Irshadullah Irshad, warned parents not to enroll their children in the college, claiming it trained people against their group.&nbsp;&ldquo;The aim of the attack was to instill fear among parents and students pursuing education in the tribal districts,&rdquo; the sources said, stressing that such cowardly acts will not weaken Pakistan&rsquo;s resolve to fight terrorism.&nbsp;Cadet College Wana, established at the request of local tribes, provides modern education to children of the Mehsud and Wazir tribes and has produced graduates serving across the country.&nbsp;&ldquo;The operation will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated,&rdquo; the sources asserted, adding, &ldquo;Pakistan reserves the right to respond to the terrorist leadership and their networks operating from Afghan soil.&rdquo; Defence Minister Khawaja Asif saluted the soldier who stood against the suicide bombers, saving the lives of schoolchildren, in a post on his social media X.&nbsp;

The incident contradicts claims by Afghan Taliban authorities that such terrorists are not operating from Afghan soil.

115 rescued as security forces continue clearance at Cadet College Wana

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday praised Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces after they successfully foiled a militant attack targeting Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (PMO). The PM condemned the attack and lauded the swift action of security personnel, who eliminated two militants during the response. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attackers had rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the main gate of the college, causing it to collapse and damaging nearby structures. After the blast, three militants entered the college premises but were cornered inside the administrative block, the ISPR said. &quot;The cowardly enemy once again attempted to target an educational institution, but their plan was successfully foiled,&quot; the PMO stated. The ISPR noted that the militants involved were in communication with handlers based in Afghanistan. &quot;Khwarij hiding inside the college premises are in contact with their masters and handlers in Afghanistan and are receiving instructions,&quot; the ISPR said, adding that the act was &quot;orchestrated by Khwarij from Afghanistan.&quot; Pakistan identifies Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as khwarij, invoking a historical label for a radical sect in early Islam that violently opposed established leadership, accused fellow Muslims of disbelief, and justified rebellion through extremist interpretation.&nbsp; The statement further said the incident contradicts claims by the Afghan Taliban authorities that such militants are not operating from Afghan soil. &quot;Pakistan reserves the right to respond against terrorists and their leadership present in Afghanistan,&quot; the ISPR warned. The militants, the statement continued, were linked to what it described as an &quot;Indian proxy group, Fitna al-Khwarij,&quot; and had attempted to emulate the 2014 Army Public School attack in Peshawar. The objective of the attack, the ISPR noted, was to instill fear among students from the region who are pursuing education to build better futures. Security forces are currently conducting a clearance operation in the area. The PMO reaffirmed that Pakistan&rsquo;s counter-terrorism campaign under the &ldquo;Azm-e-Istehkam&rdquo; framework will continue, as endorsed by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan. &quot;This campaign will continue at full pace to eliminate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism,&quot; the statement said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Cadet College Wana attack, praised security forces for killing two militants, and reaffirmed the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign against foreign-supported terrorism

PM Sharif hails Pakistani forces after foiled attack on cadet college

ISLAMABAD: Successful kinetic operations by Pakistan security forces made October the deadliest month for militants &nbsp;with over 350 militants killed, according to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).&nbsp;According to a recent report by the Islamabad-based security think tank PICSS, the month of October remained the lethal for militants across the country, with intensified operations by the security forces.&nbsp;Estimates show that 355 militants were killed across the country, marking the highest losses in a decade from the militants.&nbsp;&nbsp;During the month, 69 attacks were recorded, a 52 percent decline compared to August, according to the report.&nbsp;Amid clearance operations, 92 security personnel and 48 civilians also lost their lives.&nbsp;The security forces also apprehended 22 suspected militants, the report stated.&nbsp;The report database recorded a 29 percent rise in militant attacks&mdash;from 69 in September to 89 in October&mdash;though overall human losses in these attacks declined by 19 percent.&nbsp;In the southwestern province of Balochistan, 23 militant attacks were recorded, while casualties dropped sharply from 79 to 27, the report added.&nbsp;During counter-terrorism operations, 67 militants were killed, marking notable improvement in the province&rsquo;s security situation. This represented a 92 percent decline in civilian deaths and a 52 percent drop in security personnel fatalities, the report added.&nbsp;In the former tribal districts, now merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the 25th Amendment of the constitution, and mainland KP, 55 militants were killed in kinetic operations led by the security forces.&nbsp;Collectively, between January and October 2025, a total of 1,734 militants were killed by the security forces, while 601 security personnel were martyred, the report concluded.&nbsp;

October was the deadliest month with 355 militants killed nationwide. Security forces saw fewer attacks and casualties, with significant improvements in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's security situation

Pakistan records highest militant killings in October amid intensified security operations

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday paid tribute to the six security personnel, including a young army officer, who were martyred during an intelligence-based operation in Pakistan&rsquo;s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.&nbsp;The leaders expressed deep condolences to the families of the martyrs and reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s resolve to eliminate terrorism, according to official statements.&nbsp;A powerful blast struck a security forces vehicle during the operation earlier in the day, resulting in the martyrdom of Captain Noman Saleem and five soldiers, while several others sustained injuries.&nbsp;In a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office, PM Sharif said the nation &ldquo;salutes the security forces and the martyrs,&rdquo; adding that the soldiers had laid down their lives while defending the motherland.&nbsp;He prayed for the departed and said Pakistan would continue its fight &ldquo;until the last terrorist is eliminated.&rdquo;&nbsp;President Zardari, in a message posted on X, paid tribute to Captain Saleem and the troops who, he said, embraced martyrdom while confronting what Islamabad describes as &ldquo;India-backed Fitna al-Khwarij.&rdquo;&nbsp;Pakistan uses the term &ldquo;Khawarij&rdquo; to refer to militants of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), invoking a label historically associated with an extremist sect that rejected legitimate authority.&nbsp;The president praised personnel&rsquo;s courage and stated that Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces &ldquo;remain firm in their resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms.&rdquo;&nbsp;According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was conducted on October 29 in the Dogar area of Kurram district on the basis of intelligence reports about the presence of militants described as &ldquo;Khwarij belonging to an Indian proxy, Fitna al-Khwarij.&rdquo;&nbsp;The military said seven militants were killed during the engagement.&nbsp;However, the exchange of heavy fire resulted in the martyrdom of Captain Noman Saleem, a 24-year-old medical officer from Mianwali, along with Havildar Amjad Ali of Swabi, Naik Waqas Ahmad of Rawalpindi, Sepoy Aijaz Ali of Shikarpur, Sepoy Muhammad Waleed of Jhelum, and Sepoy Muhammad Shahbaz of Khairpur.&nbsp;ISPR stated that sanitization operations are continuing in the area to ensure the elimination of any remaining militants. It said the counterterrorism campaign under the national initiative &ldquo;Azm-e-Istehkam,&rdquo; as approved by the Federal Apex Committee, will continue &ldquo;at full pace&rdquo; to wipe out foreign-backed terrorism.&nbsp;Both the prime minister and president emphasized that the sacrifices of the armed forces will not go in vain. &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s fight against terrorism is unwavering,&rdquo; the prime minister said, promising full support to the families of the martyrs.

According to the military’s media wing, six soldiers, including Captain Noman Saleem, were martyred during an intelligence-based operation in Kurram district, where security forces killed seven militants linked to the India-backed Fitna al-Khwarij group.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan security forces"