At least 11 Pakistani security personnel, including two officers, were killed during a clash with Pakistani Taliban fighters in the country’s northwestern Orakzai district.
The operation conducted by Pakistani security forces targeted a suspected hideout of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned militant group, on Tuesday 7 October.
The ensuing firefight resulted in the deaths of 19 TTP fighters and 11 Pakistani soldiers, including Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Arif and Major Tayyab Rahat, who were commended for their bravery.
This incident underscores the persistent threat posed by armed groups operating in the region, particularly the TTP, which has claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attack.
The TTP has been increasingly active since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of failing to prevent TTP militants from launching attacks across the border, a claim that Kabul categorically denies.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has stated that no terrorist groups are operating from Afghan territory, emphasising the Taliban’s commitment to not allowing its soil to be used for attacks on neighbouring countries.
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Broader pattern
The Orakzai operation is part of a broader pattern of intensified militant activity in Pakistan.
According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), towards the end of 2025 there was a 46% increase in violence compared to the previous quarter, with 901 fatalities and 599 injuries across 329 incidents.
The majority of these incidents occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, which together accounted for nearly 96% of the total fatalities.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone recorded 638 deaths and 221 incidents, making it the worst-hit region.
The surge in violence is attributed to various factors, including the resurgence of the TTP and other armed groups, as well as the ongoing insurgency in Balochistan.
In Balochistan, separatist groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) continue to target security forces and infrastructure, demanding greater autonomy and accusing the central government of exploiting the province’s resources.
Pakistan-Afghanistan relations
The escalating violence has strained Pakistan’s relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Pakistan has called for regional cooperation to effectively counter terrorism and dismantle all terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.
In contrast, Afghanistan maintains that it does not harbour any terrorist groups and seeks pragmatic cooperation with neighbouring countries to address security concerns.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing Pakistani military operations in regions like Bajaur and Orakzai aimed at dismantling militant networks.
However, the persistent threat from groups like the TTP and the BLA, coupled with the complex geopolitical dynamics involving Afghanistan, continue to pose significant challenges to Pakistan’s security and stability.
