Security forces kill seven India-backed terrorists in North Waziristan IBO: sources

Security forces killed seven India-backed terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's North Waziristan district, security sources said on Friday.

The sources said the operation was carried out as part of efforts against Fitna al-Khawarij, with their hideouts destroyed during the action.

Security forces remain committed to eliminating terrorism and establishing lasting peace under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision, the sources said.

The latest IBO comes a day after security forces killed six militants during an operation against Fitna al-Hindustan in Balochistan's Kachhi district, security sources said.

The militants were successfully targeted using quadcopters in the Sani area of Kachhi district under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3, the sources said.

A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was also recovered from the militants, they added.

Cross-border militancy

Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in cross-border terrorist incidents, particularly in KP and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Pakistan recorded its highest monthly number of militant attacks in 12 years during September 2026. 

According to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based independent think tank monitoring anti-state violence in the region, 225 militant attacks were recorded across the country in September, compared with 199 in August — an increase of 13%. Militant attacks increased for the third consecutive month.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent its territory from being used by militant organisations to carry out attacks inside Pakistan.

Pakistan maintains that the Afghan Taliban authorities have failed to take effective action against groups responsible for attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians, a position Kabul has disputed.

Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in February 2026, months after the two countries agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025 following clashes along several border points.

Despite multiple rounds of talks, Islamabad and Kabul have yet to resolve their differences, with the issue of militant groups operating from Afghan soil remaining a major point of contention between the two sides.