Pakistani security forces kill 27 militants in North Waziristan operations, ISPR says

Pakistan's security forces killed 27 militants during intelligence-based operations over 72 hours in the Miran Shah area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday. The militants belonged to Fitna-al-Khwarij, the term Pakistani authorities use for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which the military describes as an Indian-sponsored group.

What happened in the North Waziristan operation and who was targeted?

Security forces conducted multiple intelligence-based operations across the Miran Shah area, engaging militant locations in intense exchanges of fire. The 27 militants killed were affiliated with Fitna-al-Khwarij, the Pakistani military's designation for TTP. A cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered from those killed, who were allegedly involved in terrorist activities and targeted killings of civilians.

Did the operation avenge a specific attack in Miran Shah?

The ISPR said the operation brought to justice the perpetrators responsible for the killing of Malik Saifullah Dawar, a prominent local figure who was martyred in a targeted attack in Miran Shah. The military said those responsible had been eliminated during the operations. Security forces are continuing sanitization operations in the area to clear any remaining militants.

How do these operations fit into Pakistan's broader counterterrorism campaign?

The operations were conducted under Azm-e-Istehkam, Pakistan's ongoing counterterrorism campaign approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. The ISPR reiterated that security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue working to eradicate what it called foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country. The campaign has seen a sustained series of intelligence-based operations across tribal districts in recent weeks.