Security forces killed at least 27 terrorists belonging to the Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khwarij in a series of intelligence-based operations in the North Waziristan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the military's media wing said on Sunday. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces engaged multiple khwarij locations in the general area of Miran Shah in what it described as the continuation of intelligence-based operations.
Following intense fierce exchanges of fire over the last seventy-two hours, twenty-seven khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khwarij have been sent to hell, said the ISPR. The state uses the term Fitna al-Khawarij to refer to terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The ISPR added that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed Indian-sponsored khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities and the target killing of innocent civilians.
Avenging the Killing of Malik Saifullah Dawar
The statement said that by neutralising this group of khwarij, the heinous act of target killing of prominent figure Shaheed Malik Saifullah Dawar in Miranshah had been avenged and the perpetrators brought to justice. Sanitisation operations continue to eliminate holed up khwarij from these areas, as the relentless counter-terrorism campaign under vision Azm-e-Istehkam, as approved by the 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 ISPR concluded.
Leadership Praises Security Forces
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for successful operations, saying it reflected the professionalism and effectiveness of the country's security apparatus. The nation takes pride in its brave security forces personnel, the prime minister said, praising the forces for their performance. He said the nefarious designs of Fitna al-Khwarij and their facilitators would be defeated at all costs, adding that operations against terrorism would continue until its complete eradication. The premier also expressed satisfaction over the killing of the perpetrators involved in the targeted killing of Shaheed Malik Saifullah Dawar.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also lauded the security forces for successful operations, saying timely action had foiled the terrorists' nefarious designs. The nation takes pride in its brave security forces personnel, Naqvi said, adding that Pakistan remained determined to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism.
Rising Militant Violence in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa remains a key focus of the country's counterterrorism efforts, with security forces regularly conducting intelligence-based operations against militants. The province witnessed a significant rise in militant violence last year, with more than 500 attacks reported, marking a 50% increase compared to the previous year. According to a security assessment obtained by The Express Tribune, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa recorded 1,588 terrorism-related incidents, underscoring the growing militant threat across both settled and tribal districts.
Despite the increase in attacks, security forces reportedly thwarted 320 major strikes, while 137 police personnel were killed in the line of duty. The report said joint operations by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and other security agencies led to the arrest of 1,244 suspected militants, while 420 militants were killed in intelligence-based operations. Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Hangu and Peshawar were among the districts most affected by militant violence, with the report noting a pattern of attacks allegedly planned and launched from across the Afghan border.
The CTD report also recorded a 56% increase in attacks targeting police personnel, rising from 327 in 2024 to 510 in 2025. During the year, security agencies conducted 2,791 search operations and identified 25 foreign militant operatives, while extortion networks operating in Peshawar and other districts were dismantled, according to the report.
