Security forces killed nine Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists during intelligence-based operations in several areas of North Waziristan, security sources said Thursday.
The operations took place in Palangzai, Nadeem Kot and Kot Khazri areas of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa district. According to sources, forces targeted militant hideouts after receiving intelligence about the presence of terrorists.
Several hideouts were destroyed during the operations, while security personnel also recovered a large quantity of weapons and ammunition from the militants, sources said.
Forces Target Militant Hideouts
The latest operations came as security forces continued efforts to disrupt militant networks across the country. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the forces for eliminating nine terrorists during the North Waziristan operations.
The development followed a security operation a day earlier, when forces killed 18 India-backed terrorists in separate actions across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
According to security sources, forces killed 13 militants after targeting hideouts in North Waziristan and adjoining areas. Separately, security personnel killed five militants during an operation against Fitna al-Hindustan in Mastung.
Militancy Remains Major Security Challenge
Pakistan has faced a rise in cross-border militant attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Furthermore, the country recorded its highest monthly number of militant attacks in 12 years during September 2026. Data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies showed 225 attacks nationwide in September, compared with 199 in August.
Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory for attacks inside Pakistan. However, despite rounds of talks, both sides have yet to resolve disagreements over militant activity originating from Afghan soil.
For the latest updates, visit and follow The Truth International website (www.thetruthinternational.com) and subscribe to the YouTube Channel.
