Islamabad, Pakistan: In just the first 20 days of March 2025, security forces have carried out 35 intelligence-based operations across 11 districts of KPK, eliminating over 80 militants. These are not just numbers; they represent a shift from reactive to proactive counterterrorism, where threats are identified and neutralized before they materialize into large-scale attacks.
A deeper analysis of security reports from March 3 to March 20 reveals a clear pattern of intensified action. During this period, forces targeted approximately 13 districts, eliminating more than 80 terrorists, including three Afghan nationals. From March 3 to March 16 alone, security forces conducted 32 operations, eliminating 69 terrorists and seizing large caches of weapons and explosives. The momentum continued beyond March 16, with further operations eliminating another 13 militants. These actions reflect a serious and sustained push to eliminate terrorism from the province.
Among the major operations, a recent mission in Dera Ismail Khan resulted in the elimination of 10 terrorists, but the cost of this relentless fight was also felt as Captain Husnain Akhtar from Jhelum was martyred. His sacrifice underscores the risks security personnel face in their mission to restore stability.
For years, Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has relied on military operations, intelligence-based raids, and high-profile engagements aimed at dismantling militant networks. While these efforts have significantly weakened terrorist structures, the persistence of insurgent activities has remained a challenge. However, recent developments signal a fundamental shift—not only in how the state is fighting terrorism but also in how the public is responding to it.
What makes this period particularly significant is not just the efficiency of the military operations but the unprecedented public resistance against terrorism. Historically, civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have remained trapped between fear of militants and distrust in state mechanisms. However, recent events indicate that this equation is changing. In multiple districts, including Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, Khyber, Karak, Bannu, and Kurram, civilians have begun actively resisting terrorist activities. Unlike in previous years, when people either stayed silent or fled, communities are now taking a stand.
In Karak, a local peace committee has openly declared support for security forces, vowing to prevent any militant group from operating in the area. In Khyber’s Tirah Valley, dozens of locals mobilized to protect a government official and his family when Taliban fighters attempted to besiege their home. In Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, and parts of Waziristan, ordinary citizens have taken up arms to defend their communities, challenging the long-held narrative of public helplessness against terrorism. This transformation is not coincidental. It is a result of prolonged exposure to violence, growing frustration with the state’s inability to ensure absolute security and a realization that passivity is no longer an option.
The rise of public resistance marks a crucial transformation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s counterterrorism landscape. For the first time in recent history, citizens are not merely relying on the state; they are actively participating in the fight against terrorism. This year alone, local communities have intervened at least nine times to defend police stations and government buildings. When people stand up against terrorism, the psychological advantage of militant groups weakens. At the same time, this shift presents an opportunity for the state to integrate community-led security initiatives into its broader counterterrorism framework.
While the immediate tactical success of eliminating 80 terrorists in 20 days is significant, long-term victory depends on whether this momentum can be sustained. Counterterrorism is not just about eliminating militants—it is about disrupting recruitment networks, countering extremist narratives, and stabilizing regions through governance and development. The current shift presents an opportunity for the state to institutionalize public involvement through structured community defense programs, local policing initiatives, and economic rehabilitation for conflict-hit areas.
Additionally, there is a pressing need to analyze cross-border linkages, as evidence suggests that several eliminated militants had Afghan connections. This raises critical questions about border security, intelligence-sharing, and Pakistan’s regional security policy. The elimination of Afghan militants in these operations underscores the urgency of diplomatic engagement with Kabul to prevent militant spillover into KP. If unchecked, cross-border infiltration could continue to fuel instability despite local successes.
The battle in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is no longer just about military operations; it is about reclaiming control, shifting the balance of power away from terrorism, and strengthening resilience at every level. The people have taken their stand. The state must now ensure that this resistance is not in vain by complementing military efforts with long-term policy solutions. True success will not be measured by the number of militants killed but by the security, prosperity, and confidence restored in the region.
