ISLAMABAD: Fifteen terrorists were killed in two intelligence-based operations (IBOs) carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan and North Waziristan districts on Nov. 15 and 16, according to a statement released on Tuesday by Pakistan’s security forces.

The military's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said that those killed were affiliated with the “Indian proxy Fitna Al Khawarij.”

Pakistan uses the term "Fitna Al Khawarij" to refer to the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella network of armed terrorist groups.

According to the ISPR statement, the first operation took place in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan, where troops engaged a hideout after reports of the presence of terrorists in the vicinity. The engagement resulted in the killing of 10 terrorists, including their ring leader, Alam Mehsud.

A second operation in Datta Khel, North Waziristan, where "troops successfully neutralized five more khwarij," the statement said.

"Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji found in the area", ISPR said.

The statement added that the counter-terrorism campaign, launched under the vision “Azm-e-Istehkam,” would continue with full force.

“Relentless counter-terrorism operations by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country,” the ISPR said.

President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday praised Pakistani security forces for eliminating the terrorists, saying the actions show Pakistan’s resolve to defeat foreign-backed terrorism.

In a message on X, the president commended the security forces for targeting what he called elements of the “Indian-sponsored Fitna Al Khwarij.” He said Pakistan, with national agreement, would continue its efforts under the Azm-e-Istehkam plan to end militancy.

The latest IBOs come a week after the ISPR said that at least 24 terrorists were killed by security forces in three separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, including the recent attack targeting Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan district.

Pakistan has seen a rise in terrorist activities, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The surge began after the banned TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022 and vowed to target security forces and law enforcement officials.

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15 terrorists killed in two intelligence-based operations: military