Pakistan's military has reported the killing of 32 militants across two provinces within a single day, marking a significant intensification of counter-terrorism efforts. The operations, which spanned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, targeted groups the state has designated as foreign-backed entities. Main Developments According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 24 militants linked to Fitna-al-Khawarij—the military's term for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—were eliminated in Khyber district during intelligence-based operations on July 28 and 29. Simultaneously, eight militants from Fitna-al-Hindustan, a label used for Balochistan-based groups allegedly backed by India, were killed after an intense engagement in Nushki district. The ISPR statement confirmed that weapons, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices were recovered and destroyed during the operations. Sanitisation efforts are ongoing to eliminate any remaining threats in the targeted areas. Read also: Why floodwaters in Multan are a warning for Pakistan's riverine future Background These operations are part of a broader campaign under the federal counter-terrorism framework known as Azm-i-Istehkam, approved by the Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. The term Fitna-al-Khawarij has been officially adopted for the TTP, while Fitna-al-Hindustan highlights what Islamabad describes as India's role in fomenting instability in Balochistan. Earlier this month, security forces launched Operation Shaban in Balochistan after a deadly attack on a police post at the Mangi Dam pumping station in Ziarat on July 6, where armed attackers kidnapped and killed 27 police officers. A subsequent operation, Al-Azm, was initiated following a shooting on a Quetta-to-Karachi coach that left three dead and five injured last week. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, terrorists attempted to breach a joint police checkpost in Tank on July 24, an attack that security forces foiled by killing 12 militants. Why It Matters Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have experienced escalating violence in recent months. A June security assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) reported that May saw a sharp deterioration in Pakistan's overall security, with Balochistan recording 71 terrorist attacks—a 109% increase from 34 in April. The province also accounted for 52 of the 54 kidnappings reported nationwide in May, indicating the growing operational confidence of militant groups. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi commended the security forces for their bravery and professionalism, stating that the operations thwarted nefarious designs and contributed to establishing peace. His statement reiterated the government's commitment to eradicating what it terms the cancer of Fitna-al-Hindustan. What's Next Sanitisation operations are continuing in both provinces, with the ISPR vowing to maintain the full pace of the counter-terrorism campaign. The military has indicated that further intelligence-based operations are planned to target remaining militant networks. The situation in Balochistan, in particular, remains volatile, with the PICSS data suggesting that militant groups retain significant operational capacity.