RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Security forces killed 10 terrorists belonging to the India-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij in separate engagements across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between September 15 and 17, while six soldiers embraced martyrdom when an improvised explosive device (IED) struck a security forces convoy, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
Pakistan military’s media wing said the terrorists were killed during operations in North Waziristan and Hangu, as security forces continued counter-terrorism operations in the province.
Six Fitna al-Khawarij killed in North Waziristan
According to the ISPR, security forces launched an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan after receiving reports about the presence of terrorists in the area.
During the operation, troops engaged the terrorists’ position and, following an intense exchange of fire, killed six members of Fitna al-Khawarij, the ISPR said.
In a separate encounter in Hangu district, security forces killed another four terrorists, taking the total number killed in the engagements to 10.
Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists, who the ISPR said had been involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area. Sanitisation operations were subsequently launched to locate and eliminate any other terrorists who may still be present.
Security forces have killed ten Khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna-Al-Khwarij in multiple engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province@OfficialDGISPR #News #RadioPakistanhttps://t.co/eZav644mwF pic.twitter.com/4fSZNltIUe
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) September 18, 2026
Six soldiers martyred in IED attack
Meanwhile, six soldiers were martyred on September 17 when an IED exploded on a security forces convoy, according to the ISPR.
The military said the sacrifices of the soldiers reinforced the armed forces’ commitment to safeguarding the country.
The ISPR said the counter-terrorism campaign under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace to counter what it described as foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism.
KP remains major violence hotspot
The latest engagements come as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues to account for a substantial share of violence recorded in Pakistan.
According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), KP recorded 475 violence-linked fatalities and 151 violent incidents during the second quarter of 2026, making it the worst-affected region during the period. Balochistan recorded 265 fatalities and 94 incidents.
Together, KP and Balochistan accounted for almost 96% of Pakistan’s violence-linked fatalities during the quarter, according to the CRSS report.
Read Also: Pakistan Army Continues Retaliatory Operation Against Afghan Taliban, Fitna al-Khawarij
The report also noted that violence-linked fatalities in KP rose from 311 in the first quarter to 475 in the second quarter, representing an increase of about 53%.
The latest operations underscore the continuing security challenges facing KP, where security forces have been conducting intelligence-based operations against terrorist groups amid a broader rise in violence in the province.
