Five India-backed militants killed in North Waziristan strike, two injured

PESHAWAR: Security forces killed five militants and injured two others during an operation targeting militant hideouts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district, security sources said on Tuesday.

According to the sources, security forces conducted targeted action against militant positions in North Waziristan and surrounding areas as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks operating in the region.

The sources described the militants as India-backed terrorists and said the operation demonstrated the security forces’ continued resolve to eliminate terrorism and restore lasting peace in the area.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces following the operation. The president said effective counterterrorism operations were helping thwart what he described as the “nefarious designs” of terrorist elements.

Zardari also reiterated that operations against Fitna al-Khawarij would continue until terrorism was completely eliminated from the country.

Prime Minister Shehbaz similarly praised the forces for taking decisive action against militants and said the government remained committed to supporting efforts to eradicate terrorism.

The latest operation came amid an intensified security campaign across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A day earlier, security forces reportedly killed three Fitna al-Khawarij militants during an intelligence-based operation in Dera Ismail Khan under the Azm-e-Istehkam framework.

In another operation in the same district, eight militants were killed, according to security sources. Three key commanders were also reported to be among those killed.

Pakistan has faced a significant increase in militant violence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) recorded 225 militant attacks across Pakistan in September 2026, up from 199 in August. The 13% increase marked the third consecutive monthly rise in militant attacks and represented the highest monthly total recorded in 12 years, according to the think tank.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent Afghan territory from being used by militant groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan. Afghan authorities have disputed Pakistan’s allegations.

Despite several rounds of talks, the two countries have yet to resolve their differences, with the presence and activities of militant groups remaining a major source of tension.

The latest North Waziristan operation underscores the continuing security challenge and the government’s stated determination to sustain counterterrorism operations.