- IBO conducted an investigation into the reported presence of Indian-backed militants: ISPR.
- It said arms and ammunition were also recovered from the slain terrorists.
- The disinfection operation continues to eliminate all other activists.
Security and law enforcement agencies neutralized at least 22 Indian-sponsored terrorists during an intelligence operation in Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on April 21, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.
According to military media, the joint operation was carried out in response to the reported presence of Indian-backed militants, also known as Fitna al-Khawarij.
He added that during the operation, the terrorists resorted to indiscriminate firing, out of panic and in an attempt to avoid capture. As a result, an innocent 10-year-old child was martyred.
The ISPR added that arms and ammunition were also recovered from slain Indian-sponsored terrorists, who remained actively involved in many terrorist activities in the region.
“A disinfection operation is underway to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji found in the region,” the ISPR said, adding that the relentless anti-terrorism campaign being carried out under the ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ vision will continue in full swing to eliminate the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
“Such sacrifices by our innocent civilians further strengthen our resolve.”
Pakistan has seen an increase in cross-border militant activity, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which both share a border with Afghanistan, since the Afghan Taliban took control of it in 2021.
In response to the escalating attacks, Pakistan launched “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq”, during which around 796 Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants were killed, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
More than 1,000 Taliban fighters and Afghan terrorists were also injured during Operation Ghazab lil-Haq. The minister indicated that 286 posts of the Afghan Taliban regime had been destroyed and 44 captured.
In October 2025, the two countries were also involved in border clashes after Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants carried out unprovoked attacks on Pakistan’s border positions.
The ensuing fighting resulted in the deaths of more than 200 Taliban and affiliated militants, while 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred in the line of duty.
