Pakistan security forces killed eight terrorists affiliated with Fitna al-Khawarij during an intelligence-based operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ARY News reported on Sunday, citing well-informed sources. The operation, conducted in Dera Ismail Khan (D.I. Khan), marks another blow to the militant group as security forces continue their campaign across the province.
According to security sources, the operation was launched following intelligence reports regarding the presence of militants in the area. Among the eight killed were three key commanders of Fitna al-Khawarij, a significant setback for the group’s operational leadership in the region. Security forces also recovered foreign currency along with a large quantity of weapons and ammunition from the site, sources added.
The success in D.I. Khan underscores the ongoing pressure on Fitna al-Khawarij, an outfit that authorities say operates with Indian support. Just weeks earlier, on September 18, security forces killed 17 Fitna al-Khawarij and Hindustan terrorists in separate intelligence-based operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Those operations were part of a broader push to dismantle militant networks in the two provinces.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, reported that six security personnel were martyred on September 17 when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated during an operation. In the same period, ten terrorists were killed in separate operations in North Waziristan and Hangu. The ISPR identified the militants as belonging to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan-linked group referred to by authorities as Fitna al-Khawarij, stating they were operating with Indian support.
A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was also recovered from the militants, the ISPR said. Clearance operations are continuing in the areas to eliminate any remaining militants, with security forces maintaining their presence to prevent the group from regrouping.
The military has said Operation Azm-e-Istehkam will continue until the elimination of what it describes as foreign-sponsored terrorism. The ISPR paid tribute to the security personnel who lost their lives, saying their sacrifices further strengthened the resolve to defend the country. The operation in D.I. Khan is part of that ongoing commitment, as forces act on intelligence to target militant hideouts and disrupt their activities.
Security sources said effective operations against Fitna al-Khawarij are continuing across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The latest killings in D.I. Khan bring the total number of militants eliminated in recent weeks to a significant figure, though exact cumulative numbers were not immediately available. The recovery of foreign currency suggests external funding for the group’s activities, consistent with official claims of foreign sponsorship.
As security forces press ahead, the focus remains on clearing remaining pockets of militancy and preventing any resurgence. The operation in D.I. Khan serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by Fitna al-Khawarij and the determination of Pakistan’s security apparatus to confront it.
Source: ARY News