Pakistan says nine ‘Indian-backed militants’ killed in Malakand security sweep

Pakistan’s military said Sunday that security forces killed nine militants allegedly backed by India during a four-day operation in the country’s northwest.

The military claimed the militants belonged to a banned group known locally as Fitna al-Khawarij, another term for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. Authorities said the group was receiving support from India to carry out attacks inside Pakistan — a charge New Delhi has repeatedly denied.

The operation took place between July 16 and 20 in Malakand District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Security forces carried out the raids with support from police, the paramilitary Levies, the Counter-Terrorism Department and local district officials, according to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, or ISPR.

During what the military described as “intense multiple fire exchanges,” nine militants were killed and eight others captured. Two hideouts were also dismantled and a cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives was recovered, the ISPR said.

“A sanitization operation is ongoing to eliminate any other militants found in the area,” it added.

The Pakistani military and government often use the term Khawarij — historically referring to violent rebels — to describe TTP fighters.

Local residents expressed support for the security operation, the military said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the operation and commended the security forces and their supporting institutions for what he called a “successful and coordinated effort” against terrorism.

“This is a fine example of inter-agency cooperation,” Sharif said in a statement. “The entire nation stands by its security forces in the fight against terrorism. We remain determined to root out terrorism in all its forms.”

Pakistan has long accused both India and Afghanistan of supporting militants involved in violence in its western border regions. Kabul and New Delhi deny the claims.

The operation comes as Pakistan faces a resurgence of militant violence, with frequent attacks targeting security personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and nearby tribal areas. Officials say many of the fighters use Afghan territory as a base to regroup and plan attacks.

Efforts by Islamabad to persuade Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government to curb militant activity on its soil have produced little progress.