Over 8,000 TTP terrorists present in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; officials

Peshawar, 9 September 2025 — In a troubling disclosure, government officials have confirmed that more than 8,000 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, also referred to as Fitna al-Khawarij, are currently active in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

According to officials, the militants crossed into Pakistan from Afghanistan using lesser-known routes along the porous border. They are now spread across Peshawar, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Swat, Shangla, and the merged tribal districts.

Authorities revealed that the terrorists have established checkpoints on CPEC Road, DI Khan-Bannu Road, and in Tank. They reportedly take shelter among the civilian population while launching attacks against security forces.

The province, which shares a long border with Afghanistan, has seen a sharp increase in terrorism this year. A police report shows that in the first eight months of 2025, there were 605 terror incidents in KP.

• 138 civilians were martyred, and 352 were injured.

• 79 police personnel embraced martyrdom, while 130 others were wounded.

• In August alone, KP reported 129 terror incidents, which resulted in 17 civilian deaths, 51 injuries, and the loss of 13 police personnel.

Bannu recorded the highest number of attacks (42), followed by North Waziristan (15), South Waziristan (14), and Dir (11).

Officials acknowledged that security forces face challenges in retaliating, as terrorists often blend into civilian areas. Despite these obstacles, 80 militants were killed in Bajaur and North Waziristan in recent weeks during infiltration attempts from Afghanistan.

In August, security forces carried out 190 operations, killing 39 militants and arresting 110 others.

During jirgas chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, tribal elders voiced concern over terrorist infiltration from Afghanistan. They urged the provincial government to take up the issue with Kabul.

KP government spokesperson Muhammad Ali Saif criticized the militants’ tactics, saying: “They make videos on the road and then escape. If terrorists have courage, they should come in the morning instead of at night.”

Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed stressed that the authorities are fully aware of the terrorists’ presence. He confirmed that day-and-night patrols have been launched on CPEC Road with the support of the Motorway Police.

The KP government reaffirmed its commitment to continue intelligence-based operations (IBOs) until the menace of terrorism is eliminated.