ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military says its forces killed eight terrorists linked to what officials describe as the Indian-sponsored network Fitna al-Khawarij during an intelligence-driven operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district.
According to Pakistan’s military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the joint operation was launched by security forces and law enforcement agencies after reports about the presence of the militants in the area. Troops engaged the fighters in an intense exchange of fire, killing all eight and recovering weapons and ammunition from the site.
ISPR said the slain individuals were “actively involved in terrorist attacks against security forces, law enforcement agencies, and the target killing of civilians.”
Authorities say the operation reflects enhanced coordination between Pakistan’s security apparatus, with intelligence-led actions intensifying under the government-approved Azm-e-Istehkam framework — an expanded counterterrorism plan aimed at dismantling networks, restricting militant mobility, and disrupting facilitation channels across the region.
Sanitisation operations are currently underway to clear the surrounding area and locate any remaining suspects described as Indian-backed Khawarij elements.
Officials said the security forces’ “relentless counterterrorism campaign” will continue at full pace to eliminate foreign-sponsored groups operating inside Pakistan.
In Pakistan, the term Fitna al-Khawarij is used by the government and military to describe extremist militant organisations, including factions linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — a movement that has regained operational space by exploiting cross-border sanctuaries in Afghanistan since 2021.
Authorities reiterated that Pakistan remains determined to “wipe out Indian-sponsored terrorism” and bring all perpetrators to justice.
