At least 23 terrorists have been killed in a series of Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) carried out by security forces in different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) over the past 48 hours, the military’s media wing stated on Thursday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted operations in Datta Khel, Spinwam and Bannu after receiving credible intelligence of militant presence in the area.
The statement noted that troops engaged multiple militant hideouts during the operations.
“Following intense and fierce exchanges of fire, 23 more khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij, including kharji ringleader Jan Meer alias Toor Saqib, have been neutralised in the aforementioned areas, thereby giving a significant blow to the khwarij networks operating in these areas,” the ISPR said.
The military’s media wing stated that Saqib was wanted by the government for his involvement in multiple attacks, including the killings of civilians and security personnel.
It added that security forces recovered weapons, ammunition and explosives, including improvised explosive devices, from the militants. The ISPR further mentioned that troops also discovered and destroyed underground tunnels and bunkers during sanitisation operations.
“Sanitisation operations continue to eliminate holed up khwarij from these areas, as relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm e Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the statement read.
The Apex Committee approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam in June 2024 as part of efforts to curb militancy and extremism across the country.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for the operations and lauded their professional capabilities.
“Security forces demonstrated timely and effective action, foiling the nefarious designs of Indian-sponsored terrorists,” the minister remarked while paying tribute to personnel involved in the operation.
“Intelligence-based operations will continue until the complete elimination of Indian-sponsored terrorism,” he added.
Pakistan has witnessed a rise in militant attacks since the withdrawal of United States forces from Afghanistan, with security personnel frequently targeted in cross-border attacks in KP.
A recent report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies stated that 85 verified militant attacks were recorded in April, compared to 146 in March, reflecting a 42 percent decrease. The report noted that fatalities from such attacks dropped from 106 to 60 during the same period.
According to the report, the decline followed Pakistan’s cross-border military campaign against militant groups and Taliban positions between February 26 and March 18, which was later followed by talks held in Urumqi, China.
The report added that 291 people were killed in combat-related incidents in April, including militant attacks and security operations. Of the total deaths, 224 were militants, while 28 security personnel, 37 civilians and two members of pro-government peace committees also lost their lives.
