Pakistan says 13 India-linked militants killed in northwest operations

Pakistani security forces killed at least 13 militants in two separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said on Friday, describing the fighters as linked to India-backed networks.

A joint intelligence-led operation was conducted in Paharkhel, Lakki Marwat District, following reports of militant activity. The military said troops engaged the militants in heavy fire, killing ten.

A second operation in Dera Ismail Khan District resulted in three more militants being killed. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the sites. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) described the militants as “actively involved in attacks against security forces, law enforcement agencies, and innocent civilians” and linked to Indian support.

Pakistan has intensified counter-terrorism operations under the federal government’s “Azm-e-Istehkam” initiative, aimed at eliminating foreign-backed militant networks. Authorities said clearance operations continue to locate and neutralize remaining militants in the region.

The militants belong to factions linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and have recently been referred to by officials as Fitna al-Hindustan, reflecting Islamabad’s assertion of Indian involvement in sponsoring violence, particularly in Balochistan. India has repeatedly denied any role in supporting insurgent activity, as has Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government, which Pakistan has also accused of aiding militants.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have seen a resurgence of militant attacks in recent years, with Taliban factions and separatist groups continuing to challenge state authority.

The operations highlight Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to suppress insurgent networks along its western and northwestern borders.