Pakistani security forces identified Afghan nationals among eight terrorists killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan on September 26, 2024. The operation, conducted in the Razmak area, has raised significant concerns about cross-border terrorism and the involvement of Afghan militant groups in facilitating attacks within Pakistan.

One of the identified terrorists, Jalal bin Naimatullah, hailed from the Bermal area of Afghanistan’s Paktika province. Another, Saifullah, son of Deen Faraz, was linked to the notorious Gul Bahadur group, which has connections to the militant faction Fitnat al-Khawarij (FAK). Recovery of Saifullah’s identification card and an Afghan government-issued weapons permit further substantiates their Afghan citizenship and the facilitation of arms acquisition.

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The operation underscores ongoing allegations of Afghan Taliban support for groups like FAK, which have been implicated in various terrorist activities in Pakistan. Despite previous warnings and evidence presented by Islamabad, the Afghan government has been criticized for its inaction against these groups. 

In recent months, the Pakistani military has successfully conducted several operations against FAK, severely undermining their operations, but remnants of these militants have reportedly sought refuge across the border in Afghanistan. The most recent operation led to a heavy exchange of fire, resulting in the deaths of the terrorists and the recovery of weapons and ammunition.

This operation follows a previous mission in which security forces killed 12 terrorists in North and South Waziristan, though six Pakistani personnel lost their lives during that engagement.