An explosives-laden vehicle moving towards Wana was designed to turn a populated town into a killing field. That catastrophe was prevented because Pakistan’s security forces detected the plot, destroyed the vehicles and killed one terrorist. Five others were injured. It was the second such success in Wana within days, after another vehicle-borne assault on a military post was foiled.
This was intelligence-led prevention that saved soldiers and civilians before funerals had to be counted. In June, Pakistan recorded 108 terrorist attacks, including four suicide attacks and three vehicle-borne bombings. During the first half of 2026, terrorism and counterterrorism violence claimed 2,166 lives, among them 404 civilians and 307 security personnel. Pakistan entered this year as the country most affected by terrorism on the Global Terrorism Index, after suffering 1,139 terrorism-related deaths in 2025. At the centre of this campaign is the banned TTP, a UN-listed terrorist organisation entrenched across the border. Kabul’s denials have lost whatever credibility they once possessed. UN monitoring assessments describe Afghanistan as a permissive environment for terrorist groups, lamenting how the TTP receives greater liberty and support from the de facto authorities. The global peacekeeping bodies have recorded safe houses, movement passes, weapons permits and logistical assistance, while estimating that thousands of TTP fighters operate from Afghan territory. These are international findings, not merely Pakistani allegations.
Afghanistan’s rulers cannot invoke sovereignty while permitting their territory to be used against Pakistan’s sovereignty. Islamabad has pursued dialogue, issued demarches and demanded verifiable action, yet Kabul has always answered with evasion. No matter what the propaganda handles may scream, Pakistan is entitled to defend its citizens and cannot be expected to absorb endless bombings merely to preserve diplomatic appearances. The external dimension must not be ignored either. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Indian networks of financing, training and directing terrorist proxies, including elements linked to the TTP, from Afghan soil. Even if New Delhi denies the charge, the allegations are far too serious to remain rhetorical. Islamabad should continue declassifying evidence to expose financial and communications chains, and place identified handlers before the UN and friendly capitals.
Support for the armed forces must be matched by political ownership, better protection for KP police, tighter intelligence coordination and sustained development in the merged districts. The people of Waziristan must not be left between terrorism and neglect.
The men who sent explosives towards Wana wanted fear, bloodshed and headlines. Pakistan’s forces denied them all three. The state must now deny their sanctuaries, financiers and handlers the chance to try again. *