BANNU: Security forces have killed four militants described by security sources as India-backed Fitna al-Khawarij during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Bannu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday.
According to security sources, the operation was carried out under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision, which aims to eliminate militant groups and restore lasting peace across the province.
A substantial cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the militants killed during the operation, the sources said.
They added that security forces had launched clearance operations in the surrounding area to locate and eliminate any other militants who might be hiding there.
The operation comes amid a rise in militant activity across Pakistan, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Cross-border security concerns have intensified since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Pakistan recorded its highest monthly number of militant attacks in 12 years during September 2026, reflecting the growing security challenges facing the country.
Islamabad has repeatedly called on Kabul to prevent militant organisations from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan. Pakistani authorities maintain that the Afghan Taliban government has not taken effective measures against groups targeting Pakistani security forces and civilians.
Despite several rounds of discussions between the two countries, differences over militant groups operating from Afghan territory remain unresolved. The issue continues to be a major source of tension between Islamabad and Kabul.
