Pakistani security forces have successfully eliminated 13 terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, underscoring the nation's ongoing efforts to combat rising militancy and ensure regional stability.
Key Points
- Pakistani security forces neutralised 13 terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during two separate intelligence-based operations.
- The operations targeted members of Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by the state for terrorists from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has experienced a surge in terrorist attacks, prompting intensified counter-terrorism efforts by Pakistani security forces.
- The Annual Security Report 2025 indicated a significant rise in violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with fatalities increasing from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025.
Pakistani security forces have killed 13 terrorists in two separate operations in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military's media wing said on Wednesday.
The operations took place on Monday and the terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij were neutralised, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
Fitna al-Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Counter-Terrorism Operations in Detail
In the first intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in the Bara area of Khyber district, security forces killed 10 terrorists.
In another IBO conducted in Bannu district, three terrorists were killed by security forces.
The ISPR said sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other khawarij found in the area.
Rising Violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen a rise in terrorist attacks over the past year.
According to the Annual Security Report 2025 from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded a significant surge in violence last year as "fatalities rose from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025".
Due to a resurgence of militancy, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan where attacks often target security personnel and law enforcement agencies, the state has intensified counter-terrorism operations.
On March 15, security forces killed five terrorists in Lakki Marwat.
A week before, 13 terrorists were eliminated in five separate operations across the restive province.
