Pakistani forces thwart infiltration, 8 terrorists killed

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released a statement to the press in which they declared that Pakistani security forces had neutralised eight terrorists and injured four others while thwarting an infiltration attempt at the Pakistan-Afghan border in North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Officials have stated that the area is currently being cleared of suspected militants belonging to the terrorist group Fitna Al Khawarij, a term used to refer to the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This failed infiltration attempt follows another failed infiltration attempt in late March in North Waziristan, during which security forces killed 16 terrorists, while 11 others were killed in four separate encounters with security forces in KP in the following days. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICS) has published data indicating an escalation of militant attacks and security operations in March, resulting in over 100 terrorist attacks that caused at least 206 casualties, including 49 security personnel, 34 civilians, and 123 militants. Furthermore, 115 individuals sustained injuries, including 63 security personnel and 49 civilians.