Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Two khwarij belonging to Indian sponsored Fitna Al Khawarij have been killed by security forces during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa’s Bannu district, the military’s media wing said on Monday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on 19 April 2026, an intelligence-based operation was conducted by Security Forces in Bannu District on reported presence of khwarij.
“During conduct of the operation, after intense exchange of fire, two khwarij, belonging to Indian sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij, including Kharji Ring leader Waheedullah alias Muktiar along with a Suicide bomber were sent to hell,” the statement said.
It added that a suicide jacket, weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed khwarij.
The ISPR said that said that Kharji Ring leader Waheedullah was amongst the most wanted terrorist list for his active involvement in numerous terrorist activities including shahdat of security forces personnel and innocent civilians. He was also main handler of a suicide bomber in Bannu District on 21 February 2026, resulting into Shahadat of Lieutenant Colonel Gul Faraz Shaheed.
“The operation has indeed avenged the heinous act and has brought the main perpetrator to justice. Timely action of security forces also averted a major catastrophe,” the statement said.
The military's media wing said that sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored Kharji found in the area.
“Relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision “Azm e Istehkam” (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR said.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday applauded the country’s security forces for executing a successful intelligence-led operation in Bannu that led to the killing of a prominent Khawarij commander as well as a suicide attacker.
In separate messages, the president and the premier appreciated the forces for their expertise and courage, noting that the removal of such high-value militants highlights their professionalism and operational excellence.
“At a time when Pakistan is devoting all its efforts towards achieving regional and global peace, our enemies are trying to sabotage these initiatives through acts of terrorism. We will firmly defeat these anti-peace and anti-Islam conspiracies” President Zardari said.
He added that the campaign against terrorism, which he said is being driven by outside interference, would persist without interruption.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that the government is unwavering in its determination to wipe out terrorism entirely, stressing that every possible effort will continue to be made to rid the country of this threat.