Security forces kill five India-sponsored terrorists in two KP IBOs

Pakistan’s security forces killed five terrorists during two separate intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on May 7-8. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated on Friday that the first operation was carried out in Tank District after reports about the presence of militants in the area. During the operation, troops engaged the suspected hideout and, following a heavy exchange of fire, four militants linked to the India-backed Fitna-al-Khwarij group were killed, the statement added. A second intelligence-based operation was conducted in Dera Ismail Khan District, where security personnel killed another militant during a gun battle. The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, who were involved in multiple terrorist attacks in the region. Security forces also launched a clearance operation to ensure no other militants remained in the area. The military reiterated that Pakistan’s counterterrorism drive under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, would continue without interruption to eliminate foreign-backed terrorism from the country. Pakistan has witnessed a rise in militant violence, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Islamabad has repeatedly called on Kabul to stop militant organisations from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan. However, the Afghan Taliban authorities have failed to take effective action against groups involved in attacks on security forces and civilians.