ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military says its troops killed 22 militants linked to the Indian proxy network Fitna al-Khawarij during intelligence-driven operation in Bannu district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Pakistan military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said security forces conducted the intelligence-based operation on the reported presence of terrorists.
“During the conduct of the operation, troops effectively engaged the khwarij location, and after an intense fire exchange, twenty-two khwarij were sent to hell,” ISPR said.
Sanitisation operation was underway to clear the area and eliminate any remaining suspects, it added.
Officials accused the militants of being part of Indian-sponsored Khawarij networks involved in attacks across north and southwest, calling the engagements part of Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism drive under the government-approved “Azm-e-Istehkam” framework.
ISPR said the security forces’ “relentless counterterrorism campaign” will continue at full pace to dismantle foreign-backed militant groups operating inside the country.
In Pakistan, the term Fitna al-Khawarij is used by the government and military to refer to extremist and banned militant organisations, most prominently the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The group, weakened in earlier operations, has regrouped by exploiting cross-border sanctuaries in Afghanistan since 2021, enabling it to launch fresh attacks inside Pakistan.
Authorities reiterated that Pakistan remains determined to “wipe out Indian-sponsored terrorism” and bring all perpetrators to justice.
