Security forces foiled a Kurram infiltration attempt on Saturday, killing 12 terrorists as a group of khawarij tried to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan, the military’s media wing said on Sunday.
Troops detected the group’s movement towards the international border in Kurram district and engaged it effectively, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. The attempt was thwarted because the forces stayed alert along the frontier.
During the engagement, Afghan Taliban posts also opened fire in support of the infiltrators, the ISPR said. Even so, the troops responded with skill and precision. Twelve khawarij and Afghan Taliban were killed in the exchange.
A soldier from Ghizer laid down his life
Naib Subedar Hidayat Aman, 40, was martyred during the intense exchange of fire. He was a resident of Ghizer district in Gilgit-Baltistan. The ISPR said he fought gallantly and embraced shahadat while defending the border.
His home region has recently seen its own security push, as Gilgit-Baltistan stepped up protection for foreigners and Chinese nationals working in the area. News of his martyrdom reached Ghizer as tributes poured in from Islamabad.
President Asif Ali Zardari praised the forces for foiling the attempt and expressed deep grief over the martyrdom. He paid tribute to the fallen soldier for laying down his life in defence of the homeland. He also sent condolences to the bereaved family.
The president warned that Afghan patronage of terrorist elements posed a grave threat to regional peace. Pakistan’s patience should not be mistaken for weakness, he said.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also honoured the martyr and the troops. He said the forces had crushed the enemy’s design through timely action. His ministry shared his message of condolence for the family.
ISPR blames Kabul for failing its obligations
The ISPR said the incident again supported Pakistan’s position on cross-border terrorism. In its view, the Afghan Taliban regime has failed to stop the use of Afghan soil by terrorist groups. Instead, it said, the regime facilitates and patronises such activity.
The statement added that the regime has consistently failed to honour its international counter-terrorism obligations. Pakistan has raised the same concern at international forums, most recently when it warned the UN about cross-border threats and hostile designs against the country.
A sanitisation operation is now under way in the area. Its aim is to find and eliminate any other Indian-sponsored khawarij who may still be present, the ISPR said. The wider counter-terrorism campaign will continue under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision, which the Federal Apex Committee approved under the National Action Plan.
Aftermath of the Kurram infiltration attempt
Kurram sits on one of the most sensitive stretches of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The district has seen repeated infiltration bids and militant violence in recent years. As a result, troops there stay on high alert through the year.
The Kurram clash came just days after similar operations elsewhere in the province. On October 9, seven terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan. On the same day, three terrorists were killed in a joint CTD and police operation in Tank.
Violence has also hit civilians in the border belt. Earlier this week, four travellers were abducted in Chagai, in neighbouring Balochistan. Taken together, the incidents show why the security forces describe their campaign as a full-pace effort with no room for pause.
The ISPR said the sacrifices of soldiers like Naib Subedar Aman strengthened the resolve to guard the frontiers at all costs. Funeral and burial arrangements for the martyr had not been announced when this report was filed. The Express Tribune’s original report carries the ISPR statement and the official tributes in full.
FAQ
What happened in Kurram on October 10?
A group of khawarij tried to cross from Afghanistan into Pakistan in Kurram district. Security forces detected the movement, engaged the group, and killed 12 terrorists, foiling the infiltration attempt.
Who was martyred in the Kurram operation?
Naib Subedar Hidayat Aman, 40, a resident of Ghizer district in Gilgit-Baltistan, was martyred during the exchange of fire, the ISPR said.
What role did Afghan Taliban posts play?
According to the ISPR, Afghan Taliban posts opened fire to support the infiltration attempt. The military said this showed Kabul was still failing its counter-terrorism obligations.
What happens after the operation?
A sanitisation operation is under way to clear the area of any remaining militants. The ISPR said the Azm-e-Istehkam counter-terrorism campaign would continue at full pace.
