RAWALPINDI; Security forces killed eight terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy network ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’ during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.
According to the military’s media wing, the troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ hideouts, and after an intense exchange of fire, eight Indian-sponsored militants were eliminated. The ISPR added that the slain terrorists were actively involved in attacks on security forces, law enforcement agencies, and the killing of innocent civilians.
Large caches of weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the operation site. A sanitisation operation is currently underway in the area to clear any remaining threats, the ISPR said.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve under the ongoing counterterrorism campaign “Azm-e-Istehkam,” the military reiterated that security forces and law enforcement agencies remain determined to eliminate all forms of foreign-backed terrorism from the country.
Pakistan continues to face a surge in terror attacks, mainly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in 2021. In the first eight months of 2025 alone, KP reported over 600 terror incidents, resulting in the martyrdom of at least 138 civilians and 79 police personnel.
Earlier on Friday, three policemen, including SP Operations Asad Zubair, were martyred in twin blasts in Hangu district. The officers were on their way to inspect a previous blast site when their vehicle was targeted with an improvised explosive device (IED).
Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban regime to prevent the use of its territory for launching cross-border attacks. Earlier this month, clashes erupted between Pakistani and Afghan Taliban forces after militants opened unprovoked fire from across the border.
In retaliation, Pakistan carried out precision strikes on October 12 targeting multiple Taliban posts and affiliated militants, killing more than 200 insurgents. However, the country also lost 23 soldiers in the clashes.
Following mediation efforts, both sides have since agreed to a ceasefire. Delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan are scheduled to meet in Istanbul, Turkiye, on October 25 to discuss the implementation of the agreement and future border security cooperation.
