RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s security forces have killed 13 “Indian sponsored” terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) province, a military statement said on Wednesday.
“On 24 September 2025, Security Forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the general area Daraban, Dera Ismail Khan District, on the reported presence of khwarij (terrorists) belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
The state uses the term Fitna al Khwarij to refer to terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). It has also designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna al Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.
“During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and resultantly, thirteen Indian sponsored khwarij were sent to hell,” it said.
A significant quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the eliminated militants, who were involved in a series of terrorist activities in the region. These included facilitating a suicide bombing in Daraban in December 2023, and the abduction and targeted killing of government officials and innocent civilians.
Following the successful engagement, a sanitisation operation is underway to clear the area of any remaining threats.
“The security forces of Pakistan remain resolute in their mission to eradicate Indian-sponsored terrorism and restore lasting peace across the country,” the ISPR emphasised.
The operation reflects the Pakistan Army’s continued commitment to ensuring national security and eliminating all threats posed by foreign-backed terrorist elements.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has commended the security forces for killing the 13 terrorists in Draban.
In a statement, he said terrorists responsible for the December 2023 suicide attack in Daraban, which caused loss of innocent lives and property, were successfully eliminated.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence in the professionalism of the Pakistan Army and the security forces to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the country.
He said all government institutions are fully mobilised to ensure the complete eradication of terrorism from Pakistan.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in cross-border terror incidents since Taliban rulers returned to Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
