Rawalpindi — Pakistani security forces successfully eliminated nine Indian-sponsored terrorists, known as Khawarij, during three separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced.
The operations targeted terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, and Khyber districts. Four militants were killed in Dera Ismail Khan, two in Tank, and three in Khyber’s Bagh area following intense firefights with security forces.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the deceased terrorists, who were involved in multiple attacks in the region. Sanitization efforts continue to ensure the elimination of any remaining threats, with the military committed to eradicating Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country.
Last week, security forces had also neutralized 12 terrorists linked to Indian-backed proxy groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, while two personnel sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has repeatedly accused India of orchestrating terrorism inside Pakistan through its proxies, presenting evidence of state-sponsored actions directed by Indian military personnel.
Pakistan continues to face a rise in terror incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, following the breakdown of a ceasefire with the TTP in late 2022. The country ranked second on the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with terrorist-related deaths increasing by 45 percent over the past year.
However, data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) indicates a recent decline in militant attacks and casualties as of April 2025.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif praised the armed forces for their professionalism and dedication in eliminating terrorists, pledging to thwart the designs of those who threaten peace and security. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eradicate terrorism and bring justice to those backed by India.
In a separate message, President Asif Ali Zardari commended the security forces for their successful operations and reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering determination to root out terrorist elements and defend the nation.