In an ongoing counter-insurgency operation dubbed "Azm-e-Istehkam [15]" (Resolve for Stability), Pakistani security forces carried out deadly raids Oct. 7 on militants of two "terrorist" networks designated by the propaganda terms "Fitna al-Khawarij [11]" and "Fitna al-Hindustan [12]." The prior, roughly translating as "heretical faction," refers to jihadist formations operating along the border with Afghanistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, particularly the so-called tribal areas [16]. The later, translating as "Indian faction," refers to ethnic Baloch rebels in Balochistan province—implying that they are backed by India, which Delhi denies [13]. A total of 18 militants were reported killed in the raids. Two Baloch children were also reported killed in what appears to have been a mishap with an armed drone. (TNIE [17], PTI [18], ToI [19])
Islamabad also accuses the Taliban regime in Afghanistan of backing both groups of insurgents, and the fighting has again spilled across their international border, known as the Durand Line. Conflicting reports followed air-strikes [20] by Pakistan against targets in Afghanistan between Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Pakistan said it targeted the Pakistani Taliban (TTP [11]) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA [11]), killing 22 fighters. Afghanistan said the strikes hit civilian homes. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported at least 10 civilians killed, most of them children, and nine wounded. UNAMA has documented [21] over 1,100 civilian deaths and injuries in Afghanistan from "cross-border armed violence" in 2026. (TNH [22])
