Pakistan’s security forces killed eight terrorists linked to the Indian-backed proxy network “Fitna al Khawarij” during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Friday.
According to the ISPR, the operation was carried out under the ongoing counterterrorism campaign “Azm-e-Istehkam”, which aims to eliminate foreign-sponsored militant groups operating within Pakistan. The statement confirmed that the terrorists’ hideouts were precisely targeted based on intelligence reports, leading to a fierce exchange of fire between troops and militants.
“During the intense gun battle, eight Indian-sponsored Khawarij were successfully neutralized,” the ISPR said. The slain terrorists were reportedly involved in several deadly attacks targeting security forces, law enforcement agencies, and innocent civilians in the region. Their elimination marks a significant success in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to dismantle terror networks operating along its western borders.
Weapons Recovered and Area Secured
Following the encounter, security personnel recovered a cache of weapons, explosives, and ammunition from the terrorists’ hideouts. The recovered materials included assault rifles, grenades, and communication devices, which were being used to plan further attacks against security installations.
A sanitization and clearance operation is currently underway in the area to ensure that no remaining threats persist, the military’s media wing added. The ISPR reaffirmed that Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies remain fully committed to eradicating terrorism in all its forms, especially those orchestrated and financed by foreign elements.
Under the Azm-e-Istehkam initiative, the military has intensified its operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and border regions, focusing on dismantling cross-border militant networks and restoring peace in conflict-affected areas.
The successful Tank operation once again highlights the professionalism and determination of Pakistan’s armed forces in safeguarding national security and ensuring that foreign-sponsored terrorism finds no foothold within the country.
