Operation Termite was a British-led joint military operation conducted from July to August 1954 during the Malayan Emergency. It took place simultaneously in the Kinta Valley and the Raia Valley, both located in Perak, roughly 17 kilometres (11 mi) east of Ipoh city. The operation aimed to eliminate communist strongholds established by the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) in these areas.

As the largest military operation of the Emergency, it involved extensive coordination between air and ground forces. Around 50 aircraft and five battalions of troops were mobilised to launch simultaneous attacks on communist camps in both valleys. While the number of enemy casualties was relatively low, the operation successfully destroyed many camps and logistical facilities, significantly disrupting the communist presence in the region.

The Kinta Valley and Raia Valley (alternatively spelt as Raya Valley) are located within the Titiwangsa mountain range, about 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from the Perak–Pahang border and roughly 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Cameron Highlands—an area known to be a stronghold of the MCP during World War II. Both valleys fall within what is today known as the Kinta Valley Geopark and are situated approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) apart.

This region is characterised by dense rainforest-covered mountains, dominated by limestone formations and numerous natural limestone caves, which made it an ideal location for MCP guerrilla camps. The valleys also have abundant natural water sources, including streams and waterfalls, further supporting their use as remote hideouts.

During the Malayan Emergency, the area was extremely difficult to access—reachable only by foot or air. The current Federal Route 185, which passes through this region, was only completed in 2004, highlighting the isolation of the area at the time of the conflict.

The area where both valleys are located was a well-known "black area" during the Malayan Emergency—a term used for zones heavily influenced or controlled by communist forces. Since World War II, the region had served as a stronghold for the military wing of the MCP, formerly known as the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army, which carried out sabotage operations against the Japanese occupation forces.

However, the combination of dense rainforest, rugged terrain, and an extensive network of limestone caves made it extremely difficult for government forces to pinpoint the exact locations of communist camps. A breakthrough came when the Special Operations Volunteer Force (SOVF)—a paramilitary program run by the Special Branch of the Federation of Malaya Police Force (FMPF, present-day Royal Malaysia Police) and composed of defected MCP members—gathered crucial intelligence that revealed more accurate information about MCP activity in the area.

The tactics for this operation were directly overseen by General Sir Geoffrey Bourne, who served as the Director of Military Operations (Malaya), and Air Marshal Sir Clifford Sanderson, the Commander of the Far East Air Force. General Bourne supervised the overall strategy, while Air Marshal Sanderson was in charge of the air operations. Together, they planned a large-scale joint air and ground offensive aimed at overwhelming the communist forces entrenched in both the Kinta and Raia Valleys.