A Pakistani security personnel stands guard at the border along Afghanistan in Chaman, following overnight clashes between forces of the two countries. Photo: AFP
The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks targeting police personnel in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, which resulted in multiple casualties.
In a statement, the ministry reaffirmed the United Arab Emirates’ “strong condemnation of these criminal acts” and its “permanent rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability.” It expressed condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
The condemnation comes amid a renewed surge in militant violence across Pakistan, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Pakistan’s security forces have intensified intelligence-based operations in response to the uptick in attacks.
Read: Security forces kill 5 terrorists, foil attack plot in Pishin
The military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Wednesday that security forces killed 34 militants in a series of high-tempo operations in the two provinces. Of these, 26 militants linked to what the state terms Fitna al-Khawarij — referring to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — were killed in four engagements in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, while eight militants described as Fitna al-Hindustan were neutralised in Sambaza, Zhob district.
According to the ISPR, security forces also foiled an infiltration attempt near Hassan Khel in North Waziristan, killing an Afghan national affiliated with the militant network. Additional intelligence-based operations in Lakki Marwat, Bannu and Mir Ali resulted in the killing of more militants and the recovery of weapons and ammunition.
Read More: Pakistan wary of militant attacks after Afghanistan air strikes
The recent spike in violence is linked to the cross-border militant sanctuaries. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said terrorists often retaliate after operations against their hideouts in Afghanistan, adding that security forces remain on high alert. Intelligence agencies have also warned of a possible increase in attacks targeting urban centres, markets, security forces and places of worship.
Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) shows terrorist attacks in Pakistan have risen sharply in recent years, increasing nearly fourfold to 2,425 incidents in 2025 from 658 in 2022, underscoring growing security challenges facing the country.
Earlier, Pakistan late Saturday night carried out intelligence-based strikes against terrorist camps inside Afghanistan in what officials described as a retaliatory response to a series of deadly suicide attacks during Ramazan.
The attacks included a bombing at an Imambargah in Islamabad and multiple blasts in Bajaur and Bannu.
Islamabad said it possessed “conclusive evidence” that the incidents were orchestrated by terrorists operating from Afghan territory, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan after Kabul summoned Pakistan’s ambassador and condemned the strikes as a violation of its sovereignty.
