RAWALPINDI: Security forces killed four India-sponsored militants during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.
According to the military’s media wing, troops carried out the operation on the night of February 18 and 19 after receiving reports about the presence of militants described as belonging to “Fitna al Khwarij,” which officials link to an Indian proxy.
ISPR said security personnel engaged the suspected hideout and killed the four militants during an intense exchange of fire. Forces also recovered weapons and ammunition from the slain individuals, who it said had been involved in multiple attacks in the area.
The military added that a sanitisation operation is underway to clear the area of any remaining militants.
In its statement, ISPR said security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue their counterterrorism campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” strategy, approved by the Federal Apex Committee of the National Action Plan, to eliminate what it termed foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.
Pakistan has faced an increase in cross-border attacks since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan experiencing the brunt of the violence.
Earlier this week, security forces killed at least 12 militants described as belonging to an India-backed proxy during a separate attack in Bajaur district, where 11 security personnel were martyred while defending a joint checkpost.