Security forces kill 11 India-backed militants in North Waziristan IBOs

Security forces killed 11 militants during intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district over the past 48 hours. In a statement on Sunday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that security forces conducted a series of coordinated intelligence-based operations in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan, targeting multiple India-backed “Fitna al-Khawarij” hideouts. The military’s media wing added that heavy exchange of fire took place during the operations, in which 11 terrorists were sent to hell. The slain militants were involved in various terrorist activities in the region. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from their possession. Following the successful operations, security forces launched clearance and sanitisation efforts to eliminate any remaining militants hiding in the area. In a separate development, security sources said at least 16 terrorists, including two commanders, were killed and two policemen were martyred during a joint operation by the Pakistan Army, police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Bannu’s Miryan area. Officials said the operation had been initiated a day earlier after intelligence reports confirmed militant presence in the locality. Pakistan has witnessed a rise in cross-border militant incidents in recent years, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, following the takeover of Kabul by the Afghan Taliban in 2021. Quetta blast leaves 24 martyred, train derailed near Chaman Phatak