Sacrifices of security forces in Orakzai reflect Pakistan’s unyielding resolve against terrorism
PESHAWAR, (APP): The martyrdom of two officers of Pakistan Army and nine soldiers during a high-stakes intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Orakzai tribal district late last night stands as a stark reminder of Pakistan’s unwavering determination to eliminate terrorism from its soil.
Security experts, former officials, and academics alike paid glowing tributes to the supreme sacrifices of Lt Col Junaid Tariq and Maj Tayyab Rahat who led the operation from the front along with their nine brave comrades and termed it a continuation of the Pakistan Army’s proud legacy of valor and devotion to the nation.
Brigadier (Retd) Mahmood Shah, former Secretary Law and Order of the erstwhile FATA, told APP that the fallen heroes added a golden chapter to Pakistan’s military history.
“These officers and soldiers embraced martyrdom while eliminating 19 terrorists, reportedly affiliated with the Indian-backed Fitnaul Khwarij,” he said. “They sacrificed their lives for the future of our children and for the peace of the nation.”
Brigadier Shah recalled the legacy of martyrs started from Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider) to Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider), stating that the sacrifices of Lt Col Junaid Tariq and Maj Tayyab Rahat will also be written in golden letters.
He strongly asserted that Pakistan was a victim of terrorism perpetrated by foreign-sponsored proxies, particularly those backed by Indian intelligence networks.
Referring to past tragedies like the 2014 Army Public School (APS) attack and the bombing of the Jaffar Express in March 2025, Brig (R) Mahmood Shah said that although the tactics of terrorists may vary, the objective remains the same to spread fear, disrupt peace, and destabilize Pakistan.
“But the resolve of our people and the unmatched sacrifices of our armed forces have thwarted these nefarious designs time and again,” he emphasized.
Dr. Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, former IGP and Home Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, paid glowing tributes to the fallen soldiers.
“They didn’t just fight with bullets they fought for a vision of a secure and safe Pakistan,” he said.
He warned of the ideological threats posed by foreign-backed proxies like the banned TTP and BLA, stressing that these groups do more than just plant explosives but they spread radical ideologies that target vulnerable populations.
“Our real weapon is education,” he said. “An educated youth is the greatest threat to these terrorist agendas. That’s why we must invest in knowledge, opportunity, and civic empowerment.”
Dr. Akhtar also linked increased attacks to progress in the region under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), arguing that terrorist groups seek to derail infrastructure development, job creation, and regional integration.
Professor Dr. Ejaz Khan from the International Relations Department stressed that the fight against terrorism must also be fought in the minds and hearts of people.
“This is more than a security issue but it is a societal challenge,” he said. “Youth in tribal districts don’t need lectures or weapons. They need schools, jobs, playgrounds, vocational education and access to culture.”
He called for increased investment in youth, especially in underdeveloped regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning that radicalization thrives in isolation and poverty.
“When young people are given identity, purpose, and community, extremist ideologies crumble,” Dr. Ejaz said, advocating for grassroots reforms including technical education, school improvements, awareness campaigns, and interfaith harmony initiatives.
He also praised the diplomatic efforts of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the United Nations General Assembly, where the PM highlighted Indian state-sponsored terrorism in occupied Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan’s firm commitment to regional peace and stability.
Dr. Ebad Khan, opposition leader in the KP Assembly, reflected on the transformation initiated after the APS tragedy under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
“Policies like the National Action Plan (NAP), the creation of NACTA, and the establishment of military courts were bold steps that eradicated terrorism,” he said.
He said that the current government continues this momentum through youth-centric initiatives including scholarships, free laptops, internships, digital hubs, and microloans focusing on education and economic empowerment.
Experts unanimously called for a dual strategy to counter terrorism underscored the need a forceful response for hardened militants, and de-radicalization and reconciliation for misled youth.
“Terrorism feeds on division especially ethnic and sectarian divides,” Dr. Akhtar Ali Shah concluded. “But when we are united, we become impenetrable.”
They emphasized that from policymakers to parents, and from scholars to soldiers, every segment of society has a role to win battle against terrorism.
