Security forces kill 11 India-sponsored terrorists in North Waziristan: ISPR

Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Security forces killed 11 terrorists linked to India-backed Fitna al-Khawarij during multiple intelligence-based operations carried out over the past 48 hours in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday.

According to the military’s media wing, security personnel targeted several militant hideouts in the Datta Khel area during a series of intelligence-led raids.

The ISPR said fierce gun battles took place during the operations, resulting in the killing of 11 militants associated with the India-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij group.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain militants, who were reportedly involved in various terrorist activities in the region.

Following the operation, security forces launched clearance activities in the area to track down and eliminate any remaining militants hiding nearby.

In a separate operation in Bannu district, at least 16 terrorists, including two key commanders, were killed during a joint operation involving the Pakistan Army, police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), according to security sources.

The operation, which began a day earlier in the Miryan area after reports of militant presence, also claimed the lives of two policemen who embraced martyrdom.

Pakistan has witnessed a rise in terrorist incidents, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Earlier on Sunday, an explosion near a railway track close to Chaman Phatak in Quetta killed at least 14 people, including three Frontier Corps personnel, while several others were injured.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said women and children were also among the injured and had been shifted to hospitals for treatment.

Pakistan has repeatedly called on Kabul to ensure Afghan soil is not used by militant groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan.

However, Islamabad maintains that the Afghan Taliban administration has failed to take effective action against terror outfits responsible for repeated attacks on Pakistani civilians and security forces.

Earlier this year, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq after tensions along the border escalated despite a ceasefire agreement reached between the two countries in October 2025.

The ceasefire followed border clashes sparked by what Pakistan described as unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban forces at several crossing points.

Despite multiple rounds of dialogue, both sides have yet to reach a lasting understanding as Pakistan continues to demand action against militant networks operating from Afghan territory.