Islamabad, Apr 25:
Pakistan’s security forces killed 22 terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, according to the military’s media wing, ISPR.
The joint operation by security forces and law enforcement agencies was carried out on April 21 in Khyber District after intelligence reports indicated the presence of militants.
During the raid, members of Fitna-al-Khwarij—the state designation for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—opened indiscriminate fire. In the ensuing exchange, 22 militants were killed. A 10-year-old child was also killed during the firing.
The military said sanitisation operations are continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining threats and ensure full clearance.
It added that counter-terrorism efforts under the national strategy “Azm-e-Istehkam” will proceed at full pace to eradicate militancy across the country.
Pakistan’s top leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, praised the security forces for the successful operation while expressing deep sorrow over the civilian casualty.
The incident underscores Pakistan’s ongoing security challenges, with KP and Balochistan witnessing a rise in militant activity and repeated attacks targeting security forces despite intensified counter-terrorism operations in recent months.