In the face of a deteriorating security situation, Pakistan’s top civilian and military leadership has decisively opted for a new multi-faceted nationwide counterterrorism campaign, dubbed Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, or Resolve for Stability. This comprehensive and decisive initiative, greenlighted during a high-powered meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is not just a reactionary measure but a strategically essential move for the nation’s survival and well-being.

Pakistan has been grappling with near-daily terrorist attacks, primarily targeting security personnel. This alarming frequency of attacks has highlighted the urgent need for a robust and multifaceted approach to counterterrorism. According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, the country has witnessed over 300 terrorism-related deaths so far this year. The first half of 2024 alone saw the tragic loss of dozens of security personnel in militant attacks and counterterrorism operations. The provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, bordering Afghanistan, have been the epicenters of these violent activities. Last year, the nation recorded a six-year high in terrorism fatalities, underscoring the escalating threat posed by extremist groups, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The TTP, reportedly enjoying sanctuaries in neighboring Afghanistan, has been a significant source of terror in Pakistan, despite Afghan Taliban denials of........

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