The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Pakistan’s security forces have killed 11 militants in two intelligence-based operations in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said Saturday.
According to a statement from Inter-Services Public
Relations, the military’s media wing, the operations were carried out on Jan. 8
in the districts of North Waziristan and Kurram. The military said those killed
belonged to Fitna al Khawarij, a term authorities use for militants linked to
the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP.
In North Waziristan, troops launched an operation after
receiving intelligence about militant presence. Six militants were killed
following what the military described as an intense exchange of fire.
A separate joint operation by security forces and police in
Kurram district resulted in the deaths of five more militants, the statement
said.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants,
whom the military accused of being involved in attacks on security forces, law
enforcement agencies and the targeted killings of civilians.
The military said follow-up search operations were underway
to clear the areas of any remaining militants and vowed to continue its
counterterrorism campaign.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces
for what he described as successful operations, saying Pakistan would continue
its fight against terrorism until it is eliminated, according to a statement
from his office.
President Asif Ali Zardari also commended the security
forces and police for protecting lives and property, state-run Radio Pakistan
reported.
Militant violence has surged in Pakistan despite intensified
counterterrorism efforts. A report by the Islamabad-based Pak Institute for
Peace Studies said militant attacks rose 34% in 2025 compared with the previous
year, while terrorism-related deaths increased by 21%.
Earlier this week, the military said Pakistani law
enforcement agencies conducted more than 75,000 intelligence-based operations
nationwide in 2025.
