ISLAMABAD: Security forces conducted a targeted intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan that resulted in the killing of 11 terrorists, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Monday.
The operation, carried out in the general area of Mir Ali, was based on specific intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists. During the encounter, security forces effectively engaged the group, eliminating all 11 militants on the spot.
Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the site. No casualties were reported among security personnel.
This development brings the total number of terrorists killed in the broader Bannu division operations to 16 in recent days. Earlier actions in the region had already accounted for five militants.
Official sources confirmed that the killed terrorists were actively involved in planning attacks against security forces and civilian targets in the merged districts.
The ISPR statement described the militants as “Khawarij” who had been attempting to destabilise the area through hit-and-run tactics and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks.
North Waziristan has seen increased counter-terrorism activity following multiple incidents targeting security convoys and checkposts over the past several months. The region, once a key focus of military operations Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, continues to face residual threats from splinter groups.
According to security officials, the latest operation was part of ongoing intelligence-driven efforts to clear pockets of militants attempting to regroup in the rugged terrain along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Recovered items included automatic rifles, hand grenades, and communication devices, suggesting the group was preparing for coordinated activities.
Local administration officials in Bannu reported improved coordination between intelligence agencies and ground forces, which led to timely action against the identified threats.
The development comes amid broader security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security forces have conducted over 200 intelligence-based operations in the first four months of 2026, resulting in the neutralisation of more than 80 terrorists across the province.
Military analysts note that such operations demonstrate the shift towards precision targeting rather than large-scale deployments, minimising collateral damage while maintaining pressure on militant networks.
Residents in Mir Ali and surrounding areas expressed relief at the successful operation, with local elders appreciating the swift response that prevented potential attacks on civilian areas.
The Pakistani military has repeatedly stated its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and reaffirmed commitment to complete elimination of terrorist infrastructure from Pakistani soil.
This latest success follows a similar operation last week in the Shawal Valley where five terrorists were killed and a cache of weapons seized.
Security analysts suggest that continued pressure in North Waziristan remains critical due to the area’s strategic location and history of cross-border militant movement.
Officials indicated that sanitisation operations in the area would continue in the coming days to ensure no remnants of the group remain active.
Further details regarding the identities of the killed terrorists and their affiliations are expected to be released after verification.
The military leadership has emphasised that such operations will continue until the region is fully stabilised and peace is restored for local populations.