Security sources said that security forces arrested five suspected suicide bombers on the evening of July 17 as they attempted to infiltrate from Afghanistan into Pakistan.
Security sources added that they detected the movement of a large group of terrorists from the Indian-sponsored militant group ‘Fitna Al Khawarij’, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), on July 17 at 5:00 p.m.
By approximately 6:25 p.m., the terrorists had crossed into Pakistan and advanced toward the areas of Azizkhel and Mandikhel, the sources said.
Security sources said the terrorists, confronted by a strong security presence, took refuge inside a mosque in the village of Besi Khel.
The forces immediately cordoned off the area and surrounded the mosque. After a brief standoff, the terrorists surrendered without any exchange of fire, the sources added.
According to security sources, all five arrested terrorists are Afghan nationals, and three of them were carrying Afghan identity cards. The suspects, aged between 15 and 18 years, have been moved to an undisclosed location for further investigation, the sources added.
Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has experienced a surge in terror activities, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces.
In May this year, militant attacks slightly increased in Pakistan, even though heightened military tensions with neighboring India did not provoke a significant escalation in violence from extremist groups.
The Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) reported a 5% increase in attacks in May compared to April, noting that militant groups largely remained contained despite the regional geopolitical climate.
In its monthly security assessment, PICSS recorded 85 militant attacks in May, showing a slight rise from 81 attacks in April.
These attacks claimed 113 lives, including 52 security personnel, 46 civilians, 11 militants, and four members of peace committees. The violence also injured 182 individuals—130 civilians, 47 security personnel, four militants, and one peace committee member.
Although the total number of attacks increased only slightly, a closer analysis of the data reveals troubling trends. Deaths among security personnel surged by 73%, highlighting the ongoing and serious threat faced by Pakistan’s armed forces.
Civilian injuries surged by 145%, rising from 53 in April to 130 in May, underscoring the increasing toll of militant activities on the general public. In contrast, injuries among security personnel dropped by 20%, decreasing from 59 to 47.
Security forces killed at least 59 militants during operations carried out in May, while five security personnel lost their lives in the process.
When combining casualties from militant attacks and security operations, the total death toll for May reached 172, including 57 security personnel, 65 militants, 46 civilians, and four members of peace committees.
Balochistan and KP accounted for 82 of the 85 attacks reported nationwide, making them the most affected provinces.
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