October 11, 2026: Pakistan’s security forces foiled an attempted infiltration from Afghanistan along the international border in Kurram district, killing 12 militants and Afghan Taliban personnel during an intense exchange of fire, the military’s media wing said on Sunday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the movement of a group attempting to cross from Afghanistan into Pakistan was detected on October 10, prompting security forces to engage the infiltrators.
ISPR said Pakistani troops, maintaining heightened vigilance along the border, successfully prevented the group from entering the country.
Afghan Taliban Posts Opened Fire, ISPR Says
The military said Afghan Taliban border posts opened fire in support of the infiltration attempt, leading to a heavy exchange between Pakistani troops and those across the border.
“Skilful and precise engagement” by Pakistani forces resulted in the killing of 12 militants and Afghan Taliban personnel, according to ISPR.
Pakistan’s military uses the term “Khwarij” for militants associated with banned terrorist groups operating against the state.
The military statement did not provide a separate breakdown of how many of those killed were alleged militants and how many were Afghan Taliban personnel.
Naib Subedar Hidayat Aman Martyred
During the exchange of fire, Naib Subedar Hidayat Aman, 40, from Ghizer district, was martyred while fighting the infiltrators, ISPR said.
The military paid tribute to the soldier, saying he fought gallantly while defending Pakistan’s border.
Pakistan Again Raises Cross-Border Terrorism Concerns
ISPR said the incident reinforced Pakistan’s longstanding position that militant groups continue to use Afghan territory for cross-border attacks.
The military accused the Afghan Taliban authorities of failing to prevent Afghan territory from being used by terrorist organisations and alleged that elements across the border were facilitating such activity.
“These allegations represent the position of Pakistan’s military and were contained in the official ISPR statement.”
Islamabad has repeatedly urged Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government to take action against militants it says operate from Afghan territory and carry out attacks inside Pakistan.
Sanitisation Operation Underway in Kurram
ISPR said a sanitisation operation was underway in the area to locate and eliminate any other militants who may have entered or remained near the border region.
The military said counterterrorism operations under Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue against what it described as foreign-sponsored terrorism.
Pakistan’s security forces remain committed to defending the country’s borders and countering militant threats, ISPR said, adding that sacrifices by security personnel strengthened that resolve.