Pakistan’s security forces have killed 34 India-backed militants in a series of high-tempo intelligence-based operations conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan over the past few days, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.
In a statement, the military’s media wing said the operations targeted militants described as Indian proxies operating under the banners of “Fitna al-Khwarij” and “Fitna al-Hindustan.”
According to the ISPR, 26 militants affiliated with Fitna al-Khwarij were killed on February 24 during four separate engagements across KP.
Security forces intercepted a group attempting to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. In a precise engagement, one militant — identified as an Afghan national — was killed.
In Lakki Marwat district, an intelligence-based operation (IBO) resulted in the killing of three militants after an intense exchange of fire.
Separately, 10 militants were neutralised in two engagements in the Narmi Khel area of Bannu district, while 12 others were killed in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, during another intelligence-driven operation.
In Balochistan’s Zhob district, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Sambaza area, killing eight militants affiliated with Fitna al-Hindustan after a heavy exchange of fire.
The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants, who were allegedly involved in multiple terrorist activities.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating terrorism, stating that sanitisation operations are underway to clear the areas of any remaining militants.
The operations are part of the broader counterterrorism campaign under “Azm-e-Istehkam,” approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, the statement added.
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has reported an increase in cross-border militant activity, particularly in KP and Balochistan.
Last week, Pakistan carried out intelligence-based airstrikes targeting seven militant camps across Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces in response to recent suicide attacks. Security sources claimed that more than 80 militants were killed in those strikes.
Border tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have escalated in recent months. In October 2025, clashes between Pakistani forces and Afghan Taliban fighters resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
Despite multiple rounds of talks, both countries have yet to reach a lasting agreement, amid Pakistan’s concerns over the presence of militant groups operating from Afghan territory.