By ISPR
BANNU: Security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed nine militants affiliated with the India-backed extremist group Fitna-e-Khawarij during two separate intelligence-led operations, officials said. The operations, conducted on 19 December in Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu, targeted militant hideouts and aimed to dismantle networks responsible for attacks on security personnel and civilians.
In Dera Ismail Khan, four militants were killed following a heavy exchange of gunfire, while in Bannu, security forces eliminated five more militants and recovered weapons and ammunition from the site. According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the slain extremists had been involved in attacks on law enforcement agencies and in targeted killings of innocent civilians.
Authorities said clearance operations are ongoing to remove any remaining militant elements from the region. The ISPR emphasized that these counter-terrorism efforts form part of a broader campaign to eradicate terrorism supported by foreign backers, underscoring the continued threat posed by such groups. Officials also stressed that security forces remain committed to maintaining law and order, with operations proceeding at full intensity to safeguard the population.
Observers noted that the recent strikes reflect an increasingly assertive approach by Pakistani security agencies in addressing cross-border and local militant threats. The operations highlight the persistent challenges faced by authorities in stabilizing areas previously exploited by extremist networks, and the need for sustained vigilance to prevent further attacks.
The ISPR confirmed that similar counter-terrorism operations would continue in the coming weeks, signaling a determined effort to reinforce regional security and deter future militant activity.
