On July 17, 2025, Pakistani security forces successfully stopped a group of suspected terrorists from crossing into Pakistan along the Pak-Afghan border. The incident occurred in the evening when authorities detected the movement of five individuals, identified as Afghan nationals aged 15 to 18, attempting to infiltrate near the border areas of Azizkhel and Mandikhel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The group, allegedly linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), sought refuge in a mosque in Besi Khel after encountering a strong security presence. Pakistani forces swiftly surrounded the area, leading to the surrender of the suspects without any exchange of gunfire. Three of the detained individuals were carrying Afghan identity cards, and all have been moved to an undisclosed location for further interrogation.
This incident follows a pattern of heightened terrorist activity in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. Recent posts on X highlight similar foiled infiltration attempts, with security forces neutralizing multiple TTP operatives in regions like North Waziristan and Bajaur. The porous 2,640-kilometer border, established in 1893, remains a challenge for Pakistan, which has repeatedly urged the Afghan interim government to prevent its soil from being used for terrorist activities.
Security operations continue in the border regions to ensure no further threats materialize. Authorities have issued alerts and are conducting thorough searches to maintain control and safeguard national security.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 18th, 2025
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