17 India-backed terrorists killed in Lakki Marwat

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that the government and the security forces are fully committed to eradicating terrorism, and they would soon uproot the menace of terrorism completely, as security forces killed 17 India-sponsored Khwarij in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Lakki Marwat district on Friday night.

The prime minister, who is in the USA where he attended the UNGA session, besides his high-level engagements, said due to the professionalism and timely action of the security forces, the nefarious designs of terrorists were thwarted. He prayed for swift recovery of the personnel injured during the security operation, PM Office media wing said in a press release.

On night of Sept 26 and 27, security forces conducted an IBO in Lakki Marwat district on reported presence of khwarij belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Khwarij, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

During the conduct of operation, troops effectively engaged khwarij location and resultantly, 17 Indian sponsored khwarij were sent to hell. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces and law-enforcement agencies as well as killing of innocent civilians.

‘Sanitisation’ operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored khwarji in the area, as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country, the ISPR statement added.

President Zardari also congratulated the security forces on their successful operation in district Lakki Marwat that resulted in elimination of 17 Indian-sponsored terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khwarij. The president paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of the forces, saying their efforts reflect the nation’s firm resolve to eradicate Indian proxy terrorism from Pakistan. He said complete elimination of Fitna al-Khwarij and its networks was vital for lasting peace and stability in the country. President Zardari reaffirmed that the entire nation stood united with its valiant armed forces in the fight against terrorism. Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Saturday that Pakistani crew of an LPG tanker, attacked in Yemen, has been safely released.

In his message on social media platform X, Naqvi wrote that the vessel carrying 27 crew members, including 24 Pakistanis, led by Captain Mukhtar Akbar, two Sri Lankans, and one Nepali, was struck by an Israeli drone on Sept 17, 2025, while docked at Ras al-Esa port, an area under Houthi’s control. One LPG tank exploded, but the crew managed to contain the fire. Shortly afterward, Houthi boats intercepted the tanker, and the crew was held hostage aboard the ship.

Naqvi praised the tireless efforts of Secretary Interior Khurram Agha, Ambassador Naveed Bokhari and his team in Oman, as well as officials in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s security agencies, who worked day and night under extraordinary conditions to secure the crew’s release. “Alhamdulillah, the tanker and its crew have now been released by the Houthis and are out of Yemeni waters,” Naqvi stated on his social media account.

The incident has drawn attention to the growing risks faced by commercial shipping in conflict zones and highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic and security coordination in securing the safety of its citizens abroad. “Pakistan Hamesha Zindabad,” he mentioned in his message.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry Saturday declared that talks with Afghanistan had yielded no results, warning that “those who understand the language of bullets will be made to understand by bullets.” Addressing a press conference, he said Pakistan today enjoys its strongest diplomatic position in 75 years, with world leaders now welcoming the prime minister where once “no one would even take our prime minister’s call”. He described terrorism as the country’s greatest challenge and stressed that the government is committed to ensuring a safe climate for investment.

The minister urged greater coordination between the federation and provinces in combating terrorism, recalling the launch of the National Action Plan under former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. He claimed that 80 per cent of terrorist attacks were linked to Afghan nationals and asserted that by 2018, terrorism had been “completely eliminated”. Talal also questioned the political will of opposition parties to support the armed forces, invoking the sacrifice of martyred Major Adnan and asking, “Does anyone have sons like Major Adnan?” Criticising PTI’s long rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he asked what measures the party had taken to end terrorism in the province, adding: “Should we negotiate with those who are killing our soldiers and children?”

He accused PTI of straining relations with friendly nations during its tenure and said the benefits of a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia would soon become visible. Talal added that Pakistan’s economy was now “moving in the right direction” and urged political forces not to create ambiguity to shirk responsibility.

Reiterating his warning, the minister concluded that those unwilling to respond to dialogue would ultimately face force.