Pakistan army says 22 militants killed in North Waziristan operation

Pakistan's military said Tuesday that security forces killed 22 militants during a sanitization operation in the Shewa area of North Waziristan District, near the Afghan border.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operation began on May 17, following credible intelligence reports about militant activity in the region.

What happened in the North Waziristan operation?

Security forces launched the Shewa operation after receiving intelligence about militants in the area. Over 24 hours, troops engaged militant hideouts in an intense exchange of fire, killing 22 militants.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from those killed, who the military alleged were behind multiple attacks in the region.

What did the military find during the operation?

The recovered weapons and ammunition were taken from militants the army linked to prior attacks in North Waziristan.

The military cordoned off the area and said sanitization efforts were continuing to target any remaining militants. Troops were working to ensure no armed presence was left in the surrounding territory.

Did militants use civilians as human shields?

The ISPR alleged that militants coerced and intimidated local residents and used civilians as human shields to secure safe passage. The military described these actions as "highly condemnable," stating there could be no justification for endangering civilian lives.

The allegation reflects a pattern the army has cited in previous operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

How does this fit into Pakistan's broader counterterrorism campaign?

The operation was conducted under Azm-e-Istehkam, Pakistan's national counterterrorism campaign. The military said operations under the campaign would continue "with full momentum" to eliminate militancy and what it described as foreign-sponsored terrorism.

Azm-e-Istehkam was approved by the Federal Apex Committee under Pakistan's National Action Plan framework.