Pakistan says 12 'Indian-backed' militants killed, four soldiers dead in KP, Balochistan raids

Pakistani security forces have killed at least 12 militants allegedly backed by India in separate operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, the military said Thursday. Four Pakistani soldiers also lost their lives.

The military accused India of sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan and said the latest operations were part of a broader campaign to eliminate foreign-backed armed groups.

According to the military’s media wing, ISPR, militants launched an attack on a checkpoint in Shawal, North Waziristan, on May 28-29. Troops returned fire, killing six militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which the military referred to as “Fitna al Khwarij.”

Four soldiers were killed in the clash, including Lieutenant Daniyal Ismail, 24, from Mardan, who was leading the unit.

Naib Subedar Kashif Raza, 42, from Chakwal, Lance Naik Fiaqat Ali, 35, from Haripur, and Sepoy Muhammad Hameed, 26, from Abbottabad, were also killed.

In a separate incident in Chitral District, security forces killed another militant.

In Balochistan’s Loralai District, troops carried out an intelligence-based raid. Four more militants were killed after an exchange of fire. The military identified them as members of “Fitna al Hindustan,” a label it uses for India-backed Baloch separatists.

The army said the group was responsible for two deadly attacks on National Highway N-70 that killed 30 civilians in August 2024 and February 2025.

Another militant was killed in Kech District in a similar operation. Weapons and explosives were recovered.

Sanitization operations are ongoing in all affected areas.

“These actions are part of Pakistan’s broader effort to eliminate Indian-backed terrorism from the country,” the military said in a statement.

“The sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve to bring the perpetrators of terrorism and their facilitators to justice.”

The latest military actions follow a deadly April 22 attack on Indian tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. That incident sparked brief military clashes between India and Pakistan, leading to over 70 deaths before a ceasefire was reached on May 10.

At a high-level meeting of military commanders on May 22, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir accused India of escalating covert operations following its “military failure” in the Kashmir incident.

India, the statement said, was “not a victim but a perpetrator of terrorism and the epicenter of regional instability.”

Pakistan's military vowed to destroy all “externally sponsored terrorist groups” operating within its borders.

“These hostile elements, trained and financed to spread fear and chaos, will be dismantled and decimated with the full force of national will and institutional strength,” the military said.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for their efforts, especially in killing five militants in Balochistan who were allegedly involved in past civilian attacks.

President Zardari paid tribute to the four soldiers killed in North Waziristan, calling them “brave sons of the nation.” He said Pakistan’s military operations against proxy groups would continue until terrorism is fully eradicated.

Prime Minister Sharif also hailed the military’s “professional capability” and reiterated that the entire nation stands with its armed forces.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Balochistan raids marked a “significant success” against Indian-sponsored militants and vowed to continue efforts until the threat is eliminated.