North Waziristan operation, 7 terrorists killed in Pakistan

Security forces have killed seven terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan, as Pakistan intensifies counterterrorism efforts amid a recent surge in militant violence across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Security forces killed seven terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Friday, October 9, according to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan.

The operation targeted militants identified by the state as belonging to Fitna al Khawarij, a term used by Pakistani authorities for members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Security sources said a large quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered during the operation. The militants’ hideouts were also destroyed, according to the report.

The latest operation comes amid a series of security actions in North Waziristan, where security forces have reported killing dozens of suspected militants in recent weeks.

President Zardari praises security forces

President Asif Ali Zardari commended security personnel for the operation and reiterated the country’s determination to combat terrorism.

In a statement, he said the conspiracies of terrorists’ foreign patrons and their local facilitators would be thwarted at any cost.

Zardari added that the entire nation stood with the security forces in the fight against terrorism, underscoring the government’s continued support for counterterrorism operations.

North Waziristan sees repeated operations

Friday’s operation followed several similar engagements in the district. On Thursday, security forces reportedly killed nine terrorists in another intelligence-based operation, while 13 were killed on Wednesday.

State media also reported that five terrorists were killed in an operation on Tuesday, while seven were killed on October 2.

Earlier operations included the killing of three suspected militants in Mir Ali on September 30 and five in the Bara area a day earlier. Four others were reported killed during an operation in Dera Ismail Khan on September 28.

The sequence of operations highlights the continuing security challenges facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly its border districts.

Militant violence remains a concern

The province has experienced a rise in militant attacks in recent months. According to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, excluding its merged districts, recorded 54 terrorist attacks in August, up from 36 in July — an increase of 50 per cent.

The violence has also caused significant civilian and security-force casualties. A suicide blast targeting the Aman Mela police checkpost in Darazinda tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan on September 26 killed 12 people and injured 35 others.

Meanwhile, an attack on the old Police Lines in Kohat on September 18 claimed 23 lives and left around 100 people injured.

The latest operation underscores Pakistan’s continuing efforts to disrupt militant networks and prevent further attacks as security concerns persist across the province.