ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military says its troops killed 23 militants linked to what officials describe as the Indian proxy network Fitna al-Khawarij during two intelligence-driven operations in Kurram district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Pakistan military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said security forces launched the first operation after receiving reports of militant presence in the area. Troops engaged the fighters in an intense exchange of fire, killing 12 militants and seizing weapons and ammunition.
A second raid was carried out shortly after, following fresh intelligence about another group operating in the same general region. ISPR said 11 more militants were “neutralised” in the subsequent encounter.
Sanitisation operations are underway to clear the area and eliminate any remaining suspects.
Officials accused the militants of being part of Indian-sponsored Khawarij networks involved in attacks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 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.
