Security forces killed 12 militants in KP operations on October 25, 2025. The strikes targeted Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts in Bajaur, Hangu, and North Waziristan. A suicide vehicle met destruction in the process. These actions followed an improvised explosive device (IED) attack that killed a senior police officer and two constables. The operations highlight Pakistan’s resolve against rising militancy.
The 12 militants killed in KP operations October 2025 represent a significant blow to TTP networks. These groups, often labelled Fitna al-Khawarij by officials, exploit border regions for attacks. In South Asia, such violence disrupts trade routes and fuels refugee flows. It strains ties with Afghanistan, where TTP finds sanctuary. Pakistan’s counterstrikes aim to restore calm, but they risk civilian fallout in tribal areas. The events underscore the fragility of peace efforts across the Durand Line.
TTP Militants Eliminated in Bajaur Clash
Troops launched an intelligence-based operation in Bajaur’s War Mamund tehsil on Friday night. The action centred on the Badan area. Five TTP militants fell in the firefight that stretched into Saturday. Local sources reported the militants used a mosque, originally for Afghan refugees, as a hideout. Security forces cleared the site after two days of sustained movement.
No official casualty figures emerged immediately from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The Bajaur Aman Jirga, a tribal council, held a demonstration. Elders urged caution to avoid harm to civilians during such raids. This operation forms part of broader efforts to dismantle TTP militants eliminated in Bajaur and nearby zones.
Bajaur borders Afghanistan’s Kunar province. TTP fighters cross freely, launching cross-border raids. Recent months saw heightened activity. In September 2025, similar clashes claimed four soldiers. The district remains a hotspot for extortion and ambushes. Security analysts note that terrain aids militants. Forces now deploy drones for surveillance.
Hangu Operations: Response to Deadly IED Attack
In Hangu district, four TTP militants died during a police search on Saturday. The action followed a twin IED blast at Ghalamina checkpost under Bilyamina police station. The first explosion hit at 2pm on October 25. No officers stood guard then. Superintendent of Police (Operations) Asad Zubair led a team to investigate.
A second, more powerful IED detonated near their vehicle. SP Zubair and constables Atif and Kifaytullah Khan perished. Station House Officer (SHO) Doaba sustained injuries in related follow-up. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed confirmed TTP responsibility. “Militants planted two remote-controlled IEDs,” he stated. “The second blast proved fatal to three officers.”
Kohat Regional Police Officer Abbas Majeed added details. “Fitna al-Khawarij targeted the approach road with a bigger device.” The funerals drew crowds at Police Lines Kohat. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the “unfortunate” incident. He demanded an immediate report and convened the apex law and order committee.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi vowed justice. These TTP militants eliminated in Hangu link to repeated attacks. The district saw three bombings in the past quarter. Police recovered arms during the sweep. One suspect remains at large.
Hangu’s rugged mountains shelter TTP cells. The group funds operations through kidnappings. Last month, a similar IED wounded five troops. Forces now fortify checkposts with jammers. The loss of SP Zubair, a veteran of 15 years, galvanised resolve. Colleagues described him as a frontline bulwark against terror.
Official Reactions to Hangu Assault
Leaders united in grief. CM Afridi directed enhanced intelligence sharing. “We stand firm against such cowards,” he said. PM Sharif echoed: “Our law enforcers embody national spirit.” These statements signal policy shifts. Budgets for KP counterterrorism rose by PKR 2.5 billion this fiscal year.
North Waziristan: Suicide Vehicle Destroyed, Three Neutralised
Security forces struck in North Waziristan’s Jhallar area on October 24 evening. Intelligence tipped off about TTP preparations. Troops engaged a hideout. Three militants died in the exchange. They rigged a vehicle for suicide bombing. Forces destroyed it, averting a “potential catastrophic attack.”
ISPR issued a statement on October 25. “Acting on intelligence about Khawarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij, troops effectively engaged the militants’ location,” it read. “We destroyed the vehicle besides killing three militants.” The agency recovered weapons and ammunition. “A sanitisation operation continues to eliminate any other threats,” ISPR added. “Relentless counterterrorism will wipe out foreign-sponsored terrorism.”
This incident ties to the 12 militants killed in KP operations October 2025. North Waziristan hosts former TTP strongholds. Post-2014 Zarb-e-Azb, militants regrouped. Recent data shows 15 attacks since July. The foiled blast could have hit a market or convoy. Analysts Credit timely intel from locals.
The vehicle, laden with explosives, aimed at high-impact targets. Similar plots surfaced in Mir Ali last year. Forces now scan borders with thermal imaging. One militant, linked to prior ambushes, featured on wanted lists.
Background: Escalating TTP Threat in KP
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faces 200-plus militant incidents yearly. TTP, banned since 2002, resurged post-2021 Afghan Taliban takeover. The group claims 150 attacks in 2025 alone. Official data logs 89 security personnel deaths. Civilians tally 45 fatalities.
Pakistan attributes support to India and Afghanistan. ISPR terms TTP an “Indian proxy.” Border fencing covers 90 percent of the 2,600km Durand Line. Yet, tunnels persist. In Bajaur and Hangu, TTP militants eliminated through joint army-police efforts. North Waziristan sees drone patrols.
Economic toll mounts. KP loses PKR 500 million monthly to disruptions. Schools close amid threats. The National Action Plan, revived in 2024, guides responses. Apex committees meet weekly. International partners, including the UN, monitor progress. These 12 militants killed in KP operations October 2025 fit a pattern. September saw 35 neutralised in four days. Tank district alone claimed eight on October 24. Vision Azm-e-Istehkam drives the campaign. It merges military and civilian roles.
What’s Next: Intensified Counterterrorism Push
Authorities pledge escalation. CM Afridi eyes more funding for intel tech. ISPR hints at cross-border ops if needed. Tribal jirgas push dialogue tracks. Yet, TTP rejects talks. Analysts predict winter lulls, followed by spring surges.
Sanitisation sweeps continue in all sites. Recruits face scrutiny in refugee camps. The 12 militants killed in KP operations October 2025 may deter plots. But experts warn of retaliation. Pakistan seeks Afghan cooperation. Regional forums like SAARC discuss spillovers. Success hinges on unity. As forces press on, communities brace for calm.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, October 26th, 2025
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