Suicide bomber among 4 khwarij eliminated as attack on South Waziristan checkpost foiled

• Explosives-laden vehicle destroyed as security personnel repel Indian-sponsored Fitna Al Khwarij attack without casualties

• Military launches sanitisation operation, vows relentless counter-terrorism campaign under Azm-e-Istehkam

• Attack comes a day after deadly Tank suicide bombing that martyred 15 security personnel and a government official

RAWALPINDI: Security forces on Saturday thwarted a suicide assault on a security forces checkpost in South Waziristan, killing four terrorists, including a suicide bomber, and destroying an explosives-laden vehicle in a “swift and coordinated response,” as the military vowed to press ahead with its nationwide counter-terrorism campaign against Indian-sponsored Fitna Al Khwarij.

According to the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attempted attack was carried out by Indian-sponsored Fitna Al Khwarij but was successfully repulsed before the attackers could breach the checkpost’s defenses.

🚨#ISPR
Rawalpindi, 25 July 2026;

On 25 July 2026, a cowardly terrorist attack was attempted on Security Forces Check Post in South Waziristan District, Pakistan, by Indian-sponsored, Fitna Al Khwarij. The attack was successfully foiled killing all four khwarij including a… pic.twitter.com/NKAcC5yLvH

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) July 25, 2026

In a statement, the ISPR said, “On 25 July 2026, a cowardly terrorist attack was attempted on Security Forces Check Post in South Waziristan District, Pakistan, by Indian-sponsored, Fitna Al Khwarij. The attack was successfully foiled killing all four khwarij including a suicide bomber and destroying an explosive laden vehicle.”

The statement said the khwarij sought to breach the checkpost’s security; however, their nefarious designs were checked and “decisively foiled by the vigilant” and “resolute response” of security forces.

“The attackers explosive-laden vehicle was successfully engaged and destroyed outside the perimeters of post killing one suicide bomber in it, which failed to cause any damage,” the ISPR added.

Displaying unwavering courage and professional excellence, security personnel engaged the remaining intruders, forcing three khwarij into a nearby compound, where they were later neutralized in a deliberate and precision-based clearance operation without any casualties on the security forces’ side, the ISPR said.

“Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji found in the area, as relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm e Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the statement reiterated.

The foiled attack came a day after 15 people, including 12 soldiers, two policemen and a government forest official, embraced martyrdom when terrorists launched a suicide assault on a joint police checkpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank district early Friday, according to the military’s media wing.

According to the ISPR, the attack was carried out by Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The military said the terrorists attempted to breach the perimeter of the joint checkpost, but their assault was “swiftly and decisively foiled” by the vigilant response of the security personnel stationed there.

The defenders displayed “unwavering courage and professional excellence”, engaging the attackers in a fierce exchange of fire and eliminating 15 terrorists before they could overrun the post, the ISPR said.

However, following the failed assault, the attackers rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the checkpost’s perimeter wall, triggering a powerful explosion that caused extensive damage to the infrastructure.

“Due to the blast impact, infrastructure at the checkpost was seriously damaged; resultantly, 15 brave sons of the soil, including 12 military personnel, two policemen and a government official from the Forest Department, rendered the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat (martyrdom),” the ISPR statement said.

The latest attack comes only days after security forces killed 24 terrorists in Bannu district and adjoining areas during a series of intelligence-based operations.

According to an earlier ISPR statement, there had been a recent surge in terrorist attacks, including assaults on police and suicide bombings in Bannu, prompting security forces to launch extensive joint intelligence-based operations to dismantle terrorist networks and their support infrastructure.

“Accordingly, in the last 24 hours, following fierce fire exchanges in Bannu district and adjoining areas, 24 khawarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij have been sent to hell,” the military had said.

In May, at least 15 police personnel embraced martyrdom in a suicide attack on the Fateh Khel police post in KP’s Bannu district after terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the installation.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed a sharp rise in terrorist violence over the past year.

According to the Annual Security Report 2025 released by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the province experienced a significant escalation in violence, with fatalities increasing from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025.

Amid the resurgence of militancy, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where security personnel and law enforcement agencies have frequently come under attack, the state has further intensified nationwide counter-terrorism operations to dismantle militant networks and restore security.