Between 25 and 28 April 2025, Pakistani Armed Forces engaged a large group of militants attempting infiltration along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border near Hassan Khel, North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In two days of clashes, 54 militants were killed, followed by an operation that killed 17 more, raising the total to 71. Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered. The incident marked one of the deadliest border clashes in recent years.
Background
North Waziristan had long been a hotspot for militant activity, particularly involving the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Following the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, Pakistan has experienced a surge in cross-border attacks, with many TTP fighters finding sanctuary across the border.
Attack
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on the nights of 25, 26, and 27 April, Pakistani security forces detected large groups of militants attempting to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Security forces engaged the infiltrators, resulting in the deaths of 54 militants and insurgents. The military described the attackers as "Khwarij," a term used for extremists associated with the Pakistani Taliban, and stated that the militants were allegedly planning high-profile attacks within Pakistan.
The following night, on 28 April, an additional 17 militants were killed in an overnight operation in North Waziristan, bringing the total number of insurgents killed in the region over three days to 71.
Reactions
Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan's Interior Minister, praised the operation as a major success in preempting terrorist attacks. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also commended the security forces for their efforts.
Regional tensions
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India. India had recently accused Pakistan of involvement in a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, an allegation Pakistan has denied. The Pakistani military suggested that the infiltration attempt was timed to coincide with such accusations.
Aftermath
On 28 April 2025, a bombing outside a pro-government peace committee office in Wana, South Waziristan, resulted in at least seven deaths and sixteen injuries. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but officials suspected the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.