PESHAWAR: Government officials have revealed that more than 8,000 Khawarij terrorists in KP are actively operating across the province. The militants, linked with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), are reportedly moving in from Afghanistan through unmonitored border routes.
According to officials, the terrorists have established illegal checkpoints on the CPEC Road, DI Khan–Bannu Road, and in Tank. They often hide among the local population and target security forces through sudden strikes.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has remained the hardest-hit region in Pakistan’s ongoing fight against terrorism. Police records show over 600 terror incidents in the first eight months of 2025 alone. These attacks left 138 civilians dead and 352 injured. At least 79 police officers were also martyred, while 130 sustained injuries.
In August, the province faced 129 terror-related incidents. Seventeen civilians and 13 police personnel lost their lives, while dozens more were wounded. Bannu reported the highest number of attacks during that month, followed by North and South Waziristan, and Dir.
Officials said that security forces have killed at least 80 militants in Bajaur and North Waziristan in recent weeks. Despite this, the threat persists, with around 800 terrorists still present in Bajaur and Khyber districts.
Provincial leaders, including Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, have held jirgas with tribal elders to address the worsening situation. Elders expressed concern about infiltration from Afghanistan and urged the government to take up the matter with Kabul.
Spokesperson Muhammad Ali Saif stressed that intelligence-based operations are underway and vowed that the government will not back down. Inspector General Police Zulfiqar Hameed added that 39 militants were killed and 110 arrested during operations in August. He confirmed that increased patrols have been launched along the CPEC Road in cooperation with the Motorway Police.
The officials assured that security operations will continue until peace is restored across the province.
