Pakistan forces foil major suicide bombing plot in North Waziristan, says military

Pakistan’s security forces say they have thwarted a major terrorist plot in North Waziristan, preventing what officials described as a potentially “catastrophic” vehicle-borne suicide attack.

According to the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was launched on the basis of credible intelligence about militants allegedly linked to an India-backed network preparing a suicide vehicle for a large-scale attack.

The intelligence-based operation was carried out in the Jhallar area of North Waziristan, where troops engaged the militants and destroyed the explosive-laden vehicle before it could be deployed. Three militants were killed during the exchange of fire, ISPR said.

Security forces have since launched a sanitisation operation in the area to trace any remaining suspects. The military said the action was part of Azm-e-Istehkam — an ongoing nationwide counterterrorism campaign approved under Pakistan’s National Action Plan.

ISPR added that Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating what they called “foreign-sponsored terrorism” from the country, vowing to continue the campaign “with full resolve.”