- IBO conducted on reported presence of India-backed militants: ISPR.
- Says arms and ammunition have also been recovered from slain terrorists.
- Clearing operation continues to eliminate all other militants.
Security forces and law enforcement agencies neutralized at least 22 India-sponsored terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on April 21, a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.
According to the military’s media wing, the joint operation was conducted in response to the reported presence of India-backed militants, also known as Fitna al-Khawarij.
It added that during the operation, the terrorists resorted to indiscriminate firing out of panic and in an attempt to avoid capture. As a result, a 10-year-old innocent child was martyred.
The ISPR added that arms and ammunition were also recovered from slain India-sponsored terrorists who remained actively involved in several terrorist activities in the area.
“Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji found in the area,” ISPR said, adding that the relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam” will continue at full speed to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
“Such sacrifices of our innocent civilians further strengthen our resolve.”
Pakistan has witnessed an increase in cross-border militant activity, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, both of which share a border with Afghanistan, since the Afghan Taliban took control in 2021.
In response to the escalating attacks, Pakistan launched “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq”, in which around 796 Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants were killed, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
More than 1,000 Afghan Taliban fighters and terrorists were also injured during Operation Ghazab lil-Haq. The minister had said that 286 positions of the Afghan Taliban regime had been destroyed and 44 captured.
In October 2025, the two countries were also involved in border clashes after Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants carried out unprovoked attacks on Pakistan’s border positions.
The ensuing fighting resulted in the deaths of over 200 Taliban and associated militants, while 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred in the line of duty.
