Striking back at terror’s heart

June 11, 2026

The government has shown, once again, that it means business when it comes to fighting terrorism. In a carefully planned military operation, security forces carried out precision strikes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, killing 26 militants belonging to a violent group called Fitna al-Khawarij. Four of their key facilities were destroyed — a training centre, ammunition stores, hideouts and command posts used by senior militant leaders. This was not a random action. It was the result of detailed intelligence work and deliberate planning. The operation came at a time when the country had suffered fresh pain. Terrorists had attacked a Federal Constabulary post near Peshawar, killing brave security personnel. A vehicle packed with explosives was used against a military post in North Waziristan. A police station in Bannu was also targeted. These attacks were not isolated incidents. They were part of a pattern of violence that has made life difficult and dangerous for ordinary people in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The government’s response sends a powerful message — Pakistan will not sit still while militants plan their next move from safe havens across the border. By targeting not just fighters but the very infrastructure used to organise and launch attacks, the security forces are trying to cut the problem at its roots. This is what effective counterterrorism looks like. It is not reactive or emotional. It is steady, intelligence-led and focused on dismantling the systems that keep terrorism alive. Training centres are where fighters are prepared. Ammunition depots are where weapons are stored. Command posts are where attacks are planned. Destroying all of these together is a serious blow. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has faced a sharp rise in militant activity in recent years. The threat is real and ongoing. But Pakistan’s security forces have shown that they are alert, capable and willing to act. Hundreds of planned attacks have been foiled. Large numbers of suspects have been arrested. The pressure on militant networks is constant. We want peace — in our own territory and across the region. But peace cannot come at the cost of surrender. As long as terrorists threaten the lives of citizens and the safety of security personnel, Pakistan will pursue them with full force and without hesitation.