34 militants killed in KP, Balochistan operations: ISPR

The military said the “high-tempo intelligence-driven operations” targeted groups it described as Indian proxies, referred to as Fitna al-Khwarij — a term used by authorities for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — and Fitna al-Hindustan.

Operations in KP

According to the ISPR, 26 militants linked to Fitna al-Khwarij were killed on February 24 in four separate engagements across KP.

In one incident, security forces detected the movement of militants attempting to infiltrate across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and killed one alleged Afghan national described as a member of the group.

An IBO in Lakki Marwat district resulted in the killing of three militants after what the military described as an intense exchange of fire.

In two additional engagements in the Narmi Khel area of Bannu district, 10 militants were killed. Meanwhile, in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, 12 militants were eliminated during an operation based on what officials termed “precise intelligence.”

Operation in Balochistan

Separately, in Sambaza, Zhob district of Balochistan, eight militants associated with Fitna al-Hindustan were killed during another IBO, the ISPR said. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the sites.

The military said sanitisation operations are ongoing to clear remaining militant elements and reiterated its commitment to continue counterterrorism efforts under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” framework approved by the federal apex committee under the National Action Plan.

Regional tensions

The operations come amid heightened tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has reported a rise in cross-border militant activity, particularly in KP and Balochistan.

Last week, Pakistani forces conducted cross-border airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, Paktika and Khost provinces, targeting camps allegedly linked to the TTP and Daesh-Khorasan. Security sources said more than 80 militants were killed in those strikes.

In October 2025, border clashes between Pakistani forces and Afghan Taliban fighters resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Despite multiple rounds of talks, Islamabad and Kabul have yet to reach a durable understanding on curbing cross-border militancy.