Security forces eliminated at least 20 terrorists in two major intelligence-based operations (IBOs) carried out across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 8 and 9, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday.
Shawal Operation: Eight Terrorists Neutralized
The first engagement took place in the Shawal area of North Waziristan, where troops launched a targeted operation based on credible intelligence reports. During the fierce exchange of fire, eight terrorists were killed as security personnel “effectively engaged the khwarij location,” the ISPR confirmed.
The military’s statement added that the terrorists were “Indian-sponsored khwarij,” a term now officially used to describe militants after the government, in July, directed institutions to refer to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as Fitna al Khawarij. This move was part of a broader effort to discredit extremist ideologies and reinforce a unified national narrative against terrorism.
Dara Adam Khel Clash Leaves 12 Militants Dead
In a separate IBO conducted in the Dara Adam Khel district, 12 terrorists were killed following an intense firefight. The ISPR said that after the engagement, sanitisation operations were launched to clear the area and ensure no remaining militants were hiding nearby. “Our forces continue to eliminate any Indian-sponsored kharji found in the region,” the statement read.
These operations form part of Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, a reinvigorated counter-terrorism campaign approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. The operation underscores Pakistan’s renewed commitment to eradicating all forms of terrorism and dismantling foreign-backed militant networks operating within its borders.
Over the past year, Pakistan has experienced a surge in militant activity, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, following the breakdown of a ceasefire between the government and the TTP in late 2022. Despite these challenges, security forces have intensified efforts to restore lasting peace through decisive and coordinated operations across affected regions.
