Pakistani security forces killed 23 terrorists during a series of intelligence-based operations conducted over two days in the country’s troubled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military’s media wing said on Friday.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were carried out on Wednesday and Thursday in multiple areas of the province, including Datta Khel, Spinwam and Bannu, regions that have frequently witnessed militant activity in recent years.
The ISPR said security personnel launched coordinated intelligence-driven raids after receiving information about the presence of terrorists in the affected areas. During the operations, troops engaged militants in intense exchanges of gunfire, resulting in the killing of 23 terrorists.
The military described the operations as a major success in Pakistan’s ongoing counter-terrorism campaign aimed at dismantling militant networks operating near the country’s north-western border regions.
Among those killed was a wanted militant commander identified as Jan Meer alias Toor Saqib, who was allegedly involved in several terrorist activities targeting both security forces and civilians. The ISPR stated that Saqib’s death was a significant blow to militant organisations active in the region.
Also read: Hasina’s return to Bangladesh sought through ‘legal process’
According to the military, the slain militant had been wanted by security agencies for his alleged role in attacks that led to the deaths of Pakistani soldiers as well as innocent civilians. Authorities believe he played a key operational role in coordinating terrorist activities in the area.
During the operations, security forces also recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition, explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the militants. Officials said the seized materials were likely intended for use in future attacks.
In addition, troops discovered and destroyed an extensive network of underground hideouts, tunnels and bunkers allegedly used by terrorists for shelter, movement and storing weapons.
The ISPR said sanitisation and search operations were continuing in the affected regions to ensure that any remaining militants or sleeper cells were eliminated. Security forces have also increased surveillance and patrol activities in surrounding areas as part of follow-up operations.
Pakistan has intensified its anti-terror operations in recent months under the nationwide ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ campaign, launched to counter rising militant violence and strengthen internal security. The campaign focuses on intelligence-based operations, border security, dismantling terror infrastructure and targeting militant hideouts across sensitive regions.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly districts bordering Afghanistan, has witnessed an increase in terrorist incidents in recent years, prompting repeated military actions by Pakistani security forces against extremist groups operating in the area.
Follow us
