Security forces killed 13 terrorists while foiling two separate infiltration attempts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Thursday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the incidents took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, when terrorists belonging to the “Indian-sponsored” Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attempted to cross into Pakistan.

According to the ISPR, security forces detected the movement of a group attempting to infiltrate through the border in Mohmand district.

“Own troops effectively engaged this group of khwarij. As a result of precise and skilful engagement, eight khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khwarij were sent to hell,” the statement said.

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The term Fitna al-Khwarij is used by the state to refer to terrorists affiliated with the banned TTP.

The ISPR said another infiltration attempt was foiled in North Waziristan district, where security forces engaged a group of terrorists in an intense exchange of fire, neutralising five.

The statement said the engagements once again underscored Pakistan’s stance regarding the failure of the Afghan Taliban regime to ensure effective border management on their side.

“Afghan Taliban regime must fulfil its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by khwarij and prevent the involvement of its citizens in terrorism inside Pakistan,” the ISPR said.

It added that security forces remained resolute in their commitment to defend the country’s frontiers.

According to the ISPR, sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists in the area, adding that the counterterrorism campaign under the vision “Azm-e-Istehkam”, approved by the federal apex committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised security forces for foiling infiltration attempts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

In a statement, the prime minister lauded the professionalism and operational readiness of the officers and personnel of the security forces for successfully thwarting attempts to infiltrate into Pakistan from Afghanistan.

“The security forces effectively foiled infiltration attempts in Mohmand and North Waziristan and killed 13 khwarij,” the prime minister said, adding that the forces had once again demonstrated their professional capabilities in defending the country’s frontiers.

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“War against terrorism will continue until the complete elimination of this menace from the country,” he said. “Every soldier of the Pakistan Army is engaged day and night in safeguarding the homeland.”

PM Shehbaz said the entire nation, including himself, stood shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces in their unwavering commitment to the defence of the country.

Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid tribute to the security forces for foiling the two infiltration attempts.

He said timely action by the security forces resulted in the elimination of 13 “Indian-sponsored terrorists”.

“The security forces crushed the nefarious designs of the enemy at the Pak-Afghan border,” Naqvi said, adding that he saluted the brave personnel for their courage and professionalism.

The minister said the nation was proud of the operational capabilities and bravery of the security forces, adding that the entire country stood with them.

The situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has remained strained since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021, with terrorists often attempting to infiltrate into Pakistan using Afghan soil.

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Tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent months amid mutual accusations over cross-border militancy. Islamabad has long maintained that terrorists linked to the TTP operate from Afghan territory, while Kabul has denied the allegations and accused Pakistan of violating its sovereignty through alleged strikes.

In February this year, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab Lil Haq following renewed clashes along the border, after Afghan Taliban forces fired on multiple locations, prompting a swift military response.

A five-day pause in hostilities was observed from March 18 to 23 on the occasion of Eidul Fitr. However, the government later resumed the operation, with the Foreign Office stating that it would continue “until its objectives are achieved”.