The Pakistan military announced a significant but costly counter-terrorism operation in its restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. According to an official statement, nineteen militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were neutralized, while eleven Pakistani soldiers, including a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major, lost their lives.
Intense Clashes in Orakzai District
The intelligence-based operation was conducted in the Orakzai district on the intervening night of October 7 and 8. The military's media wing stated the action was launched after receiving confirmed reports about the presence of militants from "Fitna al-Khawarij," a term used to designate the TTP. The region shares a porous border with Afghanistan, a factor often cited in the cross-border militant movement.
During the operation, intense firefights erupted between security forces and the entrenched terrorists. The military's statement, as reported by PTI, declared that the 19 terrorists were "sent to hell." The high cost for the security forces underscores the ferocity of the engagement. Following the initial clash, a sanitization operation was initiated to clear the area of any remaining threats.
Surge in Violence Post-Ceasefire
This deadly encounter occurs against a backdrop of sharply escalating violence in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. The surge began after the TTP unilaterally ended its ceasefire with the Pakistani government in November 2022. Since then, the group has repeatedly vowed to target security forces, police, and other law enforcement agencies.
Data from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) highlights the severity of the crisis. In the third quarter of 2025, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bore the brunt of nationwide violence, accounting for nearly 71% of all violence-related fatalities (638 deaths) and over 67% of violent incidents (221 incidents). Together, KP and Balochistan—both bordering Afghanistan—were the scene of over 96% of all terrorist violence in Pakistan.
Pakistan's Stance and Regional Tensions
Islamabad has consistently accused the TTP of using Afghan soil as a safe haven to plan and launch attacks inside Pakistan. The group, which seeks to overthrow the state and impose its harsh interpretation of Islamic law, has intensified its assaults in recent months. Pakistan has firmly rejected the Afghan Taliban government's narrative and warned that terrorism emanating from Afghan soil "can no longer be ignored." The de facto authorities in Kabul deny these allegations.
The attack in Orakzai follows a similar pattern of violence in the region. In a separate incident in the northwestern Kurram district, security officials told Reuters that a paramilitary convoy was hit by roadside bombs before a large group of militants opened fire. The TTP claimed responsibility for that assault as well, demonstrating its continued operational capacity.
The deaths of a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major represent a significant loss of leadership for the Pakistani military. As cleanup operations continue, the incident starkly illustrates the persistent and deadly challenge posed by militancy in Pakistan's border regions, with the fallout influencing diplomatic tensions with neighboring Afghanistan.
