- Premier attends Bannu martyrs’ funerals with COAS, pledges no compromise in fight against terrorism
- Says Afghan interim govt clearly told to choose between supporting khwarij or standing with Pakistan
- Stresses involvement of infiltrated Afghan nationals in terror incidents, reiterating urgent need for repatriation of illegal Afghan residents
- He further warned that “anyone facilitating or advocating” for terrorists or “acting as proxies for India” was essentially their agent and would be dealt with accordingly
BANNU/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday vowed that Pakistan would continue responding to terrorism with “full force,” declaring that terrorist leaders and facilitators responsible for attacks inside the country were operating from Afghan soil with Indian backing.
“There should be no ambiguity or compromise in a resolute response to terrorism,” the prime minister said during his visit to Bannu, where he attended the funeral prayers of soldiers martyred in the recent South Waziristan attack. “It is clear that terrorist leaders and facilitators are using Afghan soil, with the backing of India, for attacks in Pakistan.”
🚨🚨#ISPR 35 Terrorists Eliminated
From 10-13 September, thirty five Khwarij belonging to #India Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij were sent to hell in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan
On reported presence of Khawarij, an intelligence based operation… pic.twitter.com/qiytJ3puPN
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) September 13, 2025
Earlier, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that 12 soldiers embraced martyrdom while security forces killed 13 terrorists during an intense exchange of fire in South Waziristan. From September 10 to 13, security forces eliminated 35 “khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Khwarij” in two separate engagements. On Thursday, seven more soldiers were martyred and 10 terrorists killed in Lower Dir.
Prime Minister and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (#COAS), offered funeral prayers of 12 brave martyrs of South Waziristan operation at Bannu and visited the wounded at CMH #Bannu, Pakistan
Afterwards, he also participated in a high-level meeting on… pic.twitter.com/On3dzq4kN8
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) September 13, 2025
The state uses the term Fitna al-Khwarij to refer to terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Balochistan-based groups have also been designated Fitna al-Hindustan to underline India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.
PM Shehbaz, accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, later attended a high-level counterterrorism meeting in Bannu. Both leaders also joined the funeral prayers of the martyrs of the South Waziristan operation.
“The Afghan interim government has been clearly told to choose between supporting the khwarij or standing with Pakistan,” the prime minister said, stressing the involvement of infiltrated Afghan nationals in terrorist incidents and reiterating the urgent need for the repatriation of illegal Afghan residents.
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) September 13, 2025
He further warned that “anyone facilitating or advocating” for terrorists or “acting as proxies for India” was essentially their agent and would be dealt with accordingly.
Praising the resilience of the nation, particularly the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PM Shehbaz said they had “stood like Banyanum Marsoos (a wall fortified with lead) with the state and armed forces against Indian proxies.” He directed that all necessary administrative and legal measures be implemented immediately for a stronger counterterrorism response.
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) September 13, 2025
The prime minister and Field Marshal Munir also visited the injured at Bannu Combined Military Hospital, where they were briefed on the regional security situation by the Peshawar Corps commander.
Earlier, the prime minister lauded security forces for eliminating 35 terrorists in the recent operations and paid tribute to the 12 soldiers who embraced martyrdom in South Waziristan. “In the fight against terrorism, our forces are standing like a solid rock, and the entire nation pays tribute to their bravery,” he said, praying for the martyrs’ high ranks and offering condolences to their families.
Prime Minister and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (#COAS), offered funeral prayers of 12 brave martyrs of South Waziristan operation at Bannu and visited the wounded at CMH #Bannu, Pakistan
Afterwards, he also participated in a high-level meeting on… pic.twitter.com/DIT0OvHN4m
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) September 13, 2025
He reiterated the government’s unwavering resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms.
President urges Afghan govt to act
Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of soldiers in South Waziristan and Dir, paying glowing tribute to their courage and sacrifice.
He voiced concern over the continued use of Afghan soil by terrorists and urged the Afghan interim government to fulfill its responsibility to ensure its territory is not used against Pakistan.
“Pakistan will never be bowed by violence and will defeat the Fitna al-Khwarij and their sponsors,” the president reaffirmed.
