Pakistan security forces kill 18 terrorists in KP, Balochistan IBOs, according to well-placed sources cited by ARY News on Wednesday, marking another significant blow to militant networks operating across the country’s restive western regions. The operations, conducted separately in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, targeted hideouts and movements of banned outfits responsible for a wave of violence in recent months.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security forces carried out a successful intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision, killing 13 terrorists, the sources confirmed. The operation followed continuous surveillance of militant movements, allowing forces to pinpoint and strike terrorist hideouts in North Waziristan and surrounding areas. The precision targeting underscores the military’s growing reliance on intelligence-driven operations to dismantle militant infrastructure in the tribal districts.
Meanwhile, in Balochistan, five terrorists were killed during a security operation against Fitna al-Hindustan in the Siyapast and Killi Gashtari areas of Mastung, under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3, according to security sources. The operation forms part of a broader campaign to root out militant elements in the province, where separatist and religiously motivated groups have stepped up attacks on security personnel and civilians alike.
A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the militants killed during the operations. Clearance and search operations are currently underway in both areas to eliminate any remaining militants, the sources added. The recovery of arms and ammunition suggests the targeted groups were preparing for further attacks, highlighting the continued threat posed by remnants of militant networks in the region.
Security forces remain committed to eliminating terrorism and establishing lasting peace, and will continue operations against militants across Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the sources said. The operations reflect a sustained pressure campaign against groups that authorities say operate with external support, including Indian backing, to destabilise Pakistan.
The latest operations follow a similar action on September 18, when security forces killed 17 terrorists of Fitna al-Khawarij and Hindustan in separate intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), six security personnel were martyred on September 17 when an improvised explosive device detonated during an operation. The military’s media wing stated that 10 terrorists were killed during separate operations in North Waziristan and Hangu, and that the terrorists belonged to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan-linked group referred to by authorities as Fitna al-Khawarij, operating with Indian support.
The recurring nature of these operations suggests that while security forces are making gains, the militant threat remains resilient, requiring persistent vigilance and coordinated action across provinces. The recovery of weapons and the ongoing clearance efforts indicate that forces are not merely reacting to attacks but actively disrupting militant networks before they can strike.
As Pakistan continues its counterterrorism campaign, the focus remains on preventing militants from regrouping and ensuring that the sacrifices of security personnel translate into durable peace. The operations in North Waziristan and Mastung serve as a reminder that the fight against terrorism is far from over, but the resolve of Pakistan’s security forces remains unshaken.
Source: ARY News