ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s security forces killed five terrorists in two intelligence-based operations in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military said on Friday, as the country continues its counterterrorism campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” strategy.
In a statement, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, said the operations were carried out on the night of May 7–8 in Tank and Dera Ismail Khan districts following intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists.
“On reported presence of khwarij, an intelligence-based operation was conducted by security forces in Tank district,” the statement said.
The military said security forces engaged the location in Tank after an exchange of fire, killing four terrorists.
In a separate operation in Dera Ismail Khan, one more terrorist was killed.
“Another intelligence-based operation was conducted… In the ensuing fire exchange, one kharji was effectively neutralised,” ISPR said.
The military said weapons and ammunition were recovered from the dead terrorists, who were involved in multiple terrorist activities in the area.
The latest operations come amid Pakistan’s intensified security campaign under Azm-e-Istehkam, the national counterterrorism framework approved under the National Action Plan in 2014.
Pakistan uses the term “Fitna al-Khawarij” in official communication for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), drawing on a historical reference to an extremist faction known for violent rebellion and attacks against Muslims.
The operations also come as Pakistan maintains pressure on terrorist networks both inside the country and along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, following weeks of cross-border security operations under Operation Ghazab lil Haq.
Recent security assessments, including data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, have shown a second consecutive monthly decline in terrorist violence, which officials say reflects sustained military pressure on terrorist networks.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for the successful operations and reiterated support for the ongoing campaign.
“Under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, the security forces are achieving major successes in the fight against terrorism,” Sharif said in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
“In this war against terrorism, the entire nation stands with the Armed Forces of Pakistan,” he added.
“The whole nation is united against terrorism and will not rest until all forms of terrorism are completely eradicated from the country,” the prime minister said.
The military said sanitization operations remain underway in both districts to eliminate any remaining terrorist presence.
