Pakistan says 38 ‘India-sponsored’ militants killed in KP operations

Pakistan’s military says it has killed at least 38 militants in a series of intelligence-based operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province between November 16 and 18, describing the fighters as members of what it called an “Indian-sponsored proxy group”.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said 23 militants from the group, identified as Fitna al-Khawarij, were killed in two engagements on November 16-17. Pakistan refers to the group as a “proxy backed by India,” an allegation New Delhi has repeatedly rejected.

According to the military, the first operation took place in Bajaur district after reports of militant presence in the area. Security forces “effectively engaged” the suspected hideout, killing 11, including a man identified as the group’s ringleader, Sajjad alias Abuzar.

A second intelligence-based operation in Bannu district resulted in the deaths of 14 more militants.

The military added that follow-up sanitization operations were under way to clear remaining militants as part of Pakistan’s broader counterterrorism initiative, Azm-e-Istehkam - a campaign approved by the country’s Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan.

ISPR also reported a separate incident in the early hours of November 18, claiming that one militant from the same group was killed while attempting to plant an improvised explosive device to target civilians in Bannu.

The army said the incident reflected the “growing desperation” of the militants amid sustained pressure from Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies.

PM praises security forces

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for what he called successful operations against Fitna-tul-Khawarij militants in KP areas. He commended troops for killing militants during those operations.

“Under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, our security forces are achieving major successes against terrorism,” he said. “The entire nation stands with Pakistan’s armed forces in this fight. We remain determined to eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country.”

Pakistan has witnessed a resurgence of militant violence in recent years, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where various Taliban factions and separatist groups continue to operate.