19 Indian proxy terrorists killed in KP operations: ISPR

• Security forces kill 19 terrorists in three KP IBOs: ISPR.
• Says weapons and ammunition recovered from militants. 
• Pakistan sees sharp rise in militant attacks in August: report.
  

At least 23 terrorists were killed in security operations this week — 19 militants linked to the Indian proxy group Fitna al-Khawarij in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and four armed suspects in a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) raid in Balochistan’s Pishin — officials said on Thursday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 19 terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna al Khawarij were killed in three intelligence-based operations conducted by security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on September 9 and 10.

The IBOs were carried out in Mohmand, North Waziristan, and Bannu districts after reports of militant presence in the areas.

In Mohmand’s Guluno area, 14 terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire, while four more were neutralised in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan district. Another militant was killed in an encounter in Bannu district, the ISPR press release read.

The press release further said that weapons and ammunition were recovered from terrorists who were involved in numerous terrorist activities in these areas.

"Sanitisation operations are continuing in the surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining militants," ISPR said, reiterating that Pakistan’s security forces remain committed to eradicating Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country.

Separately, four terrorists were killed during a successful intelligence-based operation carried out by the CTD in Pishin, officials confirmed on Thursday.

According to a CTD spokesperson, a gun battle broke out during the raid, leading to the elimination of four armed militants. Two machine guns, two 9mm pistols, two hand grenades, explosives, and detonators were recovered from the scene.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti expressed satisfaction over the operation and commended the CTD’s performance, stating that the department had thwarted a major terrorist plot through timely action.

“The services of CTD and other security agencies in restoring peace across Balochistan are commendable,” he said in an official statement.

The chief minister reiterated that ensuring a peaceful environment for citizens remains the government's top priority and stressed that no terrorist or facilitator would be allowed to escape the law.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in cross-border terror incidents since Taliban rulers returned to Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of KP and Balochistan.

The country witnessed a sharp escalation in militant attacks in August, with incidents surging by 74% compared to July, according to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

The Islamabad-based think tank recorded 194 fatalities from militant attacks during the month.

Meanwhile, in an alarming disclosure, government officials have disclosed that there are more than 8,000 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), declared "Fitna al-Khawarij", terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The terrorists, the officials added, have crossed into the country from neighbouring Afghanistan via lesser-known routes through the porous border and are present in Peshawar, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Swat, Shangla and merged districts.

Saying that the militants set up checkpoints on the CPEC Road, DI Khan-Bannu Road and in Tank, the officials said that the terrorists take refuge in the general population and attack security forces.

KP, as per the police report, has witnessed more than 600 terrorism incidents in the first eight months of 2025.

There were 605 terror incidents in the province till August, which resulted in the martyrdom of 138 civilians, while 352 others were left wounded.

Whereas 79 police personnel were martyred and 130 were injured, the report added.