According to the military’s media wing, the operations were conducted on September 6 and 7 following reports of the presence of militants affiliated with what it described as the Indian proxy group Fitna al-Hindustan.
In Kharan, militants allegedly attempted to establish a roadblock on September 6 and disrupt traffic in the area. Security forces responded immediately and engaged the attackers, killing eight militants, ISPR said.
In a separate intelligence-based operation in Washuk district on September 7, security forces targeted a suspected militant hideout.
“Own troops effectively busted the hideout,” ISPR said, adding that three militants were killed following an intense exchange of fire.
Security forces also recovered around 2.9 tonnes of explosives allegedly being used to prepare improvised explosive devices (IEDs), according to the statement.
Sanitisation operations were continuing in the area to locate and eliminate any other militants who may be present, the military said.
ISPR said counter-terrorism operations under the Azm-e-Istehkam initiative would continue “at full pace”. The initiative was approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan and aims to counter what authorities describe as foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism in Pakistan.
Pakistan has experienced a rise in militant violence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since 2021, when the Afghan Taliban returned to power.
According to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the two provinces remained the country’s main violence hotspots during the second quarter of 2026, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recording the highest number of casualties.
The report said KP and Balochistan together accounted for nearly 96% of all violence-related fatalities during the quarter. KP recorded more than 61% of the deaths, or 475 fatalities, while Balochistan accounted for 34%, with 265 deaths.
KP also reported the highest number of violent incidents, with 151 cases, representing 57% of the national total. Balochistan followed with 94 incidents, accounting for 35%.
The figures underline the continued concentration of militant violence in the two provinces and the security challenges facing Pakistan.
