RAWALPINDI: Security forces killed 13 India-backed terrorists during five separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) carried out in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday.
According to a statement issued by ISPR, the high-tempo intelligence-driven operations were conducted during the night between March 6 and 7 as part of the ongoing counterterrorism campaign.
During an intelligence-based operation in Bajaur District, security forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ hideout. After an intense exchange of fire, five militants were killed.
In two other encounters in Bannu District and Dera Ismail Khan District, security forces neutralised three terrorists.
Similarly, five more militants were killed in two separate engagements carried out in Khyber District and South Waziristan District.
The ISPR said that weapons and ammunition were recovered from the killed terrorists, who were reportedly involved in several terrorist activities in the region.
The statement added that sanitisation operations were continuing to eliminate any remaining militants in the area.
It said the security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue their counterterrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.
The armed forces reaffirmed their resolve to defend the country’s borders and maintain peace and stability.
Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
The operations come as Pakistan intensifies counterterrorism measures along its western border with Afghanistan under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq.
Pakistan has witnessed an increase in cross-border militant activities in recent years, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, following the return of the Afghan Taliban to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
According to Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, during the ongoing operation at least 527 Afghan Taliban fighters have been killed, while more than 755 were injured.
He said that 237 militant checkposts had been destroyed, 38 captured, and around 205 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery guns eliminated during the campaign.
Security sources said Pakistan had earlier conducted airstrikes against militant hideouts belonging to Fitna al Khawarij, its affiliates and Islamic State – Khorasan Province along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The strikes targeted locations in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar Province, Paktika Province and Khost Province, killing more than 80 militants.
Pakistan and Afghanistan also witnessed border clashes in October 2025 after militants launched attacks on Pakistani border posts.
During the clashes, more than 200 militants were reportedly killed while 23 Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom while defending the country.
Despite several rounds of dialogue between the two sides, no agreement has been reached so far, with Pakistan urging the Afghan authorities to take effective action against militant groups operating from their territory.