Pakistan security forces kill 11 militants in KP operations

Pakistan’s security forces killed 11 militants in four separate operations in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on March 26-27, the military's media wing said Thursday.

The intelligence-based operations targeted militant hideouts in North Waziristan and Dera Ismail Khan districts of the northwestern province bordering Afghanistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Troops launched an operation in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, killing five militants. In a second raid in the same area, three more were neutralized. Another engagement in Miran Shah led to the deaths of two more militants. In a fourth operation in Daraban, Dera Ismail Khan district, security forces killed one militant.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, who were allegedly involved in terrorist activities, the ISPR said.

Sanitization operations are underway to clear the area of any remaining threats, as Pakistan’s security forces remain committed to eliminating terrorism, the statement added.

The operation comes amid rising militant violence in Pakistan’s northwestern region since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021. Police and security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have been frequent targets.

According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, Pakistan is now the world’s second most terrorism-affected country, with a 45% rise in terror-related deaths while global incidents have declined by 13%.

Pakistan’s military has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of sheltering TTP fighters, a claim the Taliban denies.

In December 2024, Pakistan carried out airstrikes on suspected TTP hideouts in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, underscoring the cross-border tensions.