The Pakistan Army has strongly rejected “unfounded and misleading” claims linking security forces to civilian casualties in a recent incident in Mir Ali, North Waziristan. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the tragic event on May 19 was falsely attributed to the military as part of a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
An initial investigation revealed that the attack was carried out by the Indian-sponsored militant group ‘Fitna Al Khawarij,’ a term used by the state to describe the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which operates from Afghan soil. The ISPR stated the militants acted on behalf of “Indian masters,” using civilians and residential areas as human shields to conduct terrorist activities.
The military emphasized that such tactics aim to create discord between local communities and security forces, who remain committed to eradicating terrorism. The ISPR assured that those responsible for this “inhuman act” will be brought to justice.
Separately, intelligence reports suggest India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has activated proxies in Balochistan to fuel violence, using groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Fitna-ul-Khawarij, along with illegal Afghan nationals, to carry out attacks in Gwadar, Quetta, and Khuzdar.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, terror incidents in Pakistan have surged, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Despite some security improvements in early 2025, including a reduction in civilian and security forces fatalities and overall violence, these provinces remain violence hotspots.
A report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies noted a nearly 13% drop in violence compared to late 2024. However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan accounted for 98% of fatalities, with bolder attacks and evolving militant tactics such as the hijacking of the Jaffar Express.
Projections warn that if current trends continue, Pakistan could face over 3,600 fatalities by the end of 2025, making it one of the deadliest years. Balochistan alone accounted for 35% of fatalities during the period and recorded a 15% rise in violence compared to the previous quarter.
