RAWALPINDI (April 24, 2026) — In one of the most significant counter-terrorism operations of the year, security forces and law enforcement agencies killed 22 terrorists during a joint intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Khyber District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the high-intensity operation was launched following confirmed reports of a major militant presence in the area. The militants, identified by the military as members of the “Fitna-al-Khawarij” (TTP), engaged in an intense firefight before being neutralized. Tragically, the ISPR reported that the terrorists resorted to indiscriminate firing to evade capture, resulting in the martyrdom of a 10-year-old child. This operation is part of the broader “Azm-i-Istekham” vision, a relentless campaign aimed at wiping out foreign-sponsored militancy. Both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have lauded the bravery of the forces while condemning the loss of innocent life as a “crime against humanity.”
Twenty-two khwarij, belonging to Indian sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij, were killed by security forces and law enforcement agencies during a joint intelligence based operation in Khyber district@OfficialDGISPR #RadioPakistan #news https://t.co/B8bDgkzcgH pic.twitter.com/qbyxBOVjKm
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) April 24, 2026
Highlights
- 22 terrorists neutralized; one 10-year-old child martyred due to militant firing.
- The joint IBO was conducted on Tuesday, April 21, followed by a sanitization operation on Friday.
- The neutralized militants belonged to the banned Fitna-al-Khawarij (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan).
- A significant cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the site.
- Fatalities in KP rose from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025, highlighting a 44% increase in violence.
- Security forces conducted a total of 75,175 IBOs across Pakistan in 2025.
The operation in Khyber reflects the state’s intensified response to a sharp escalation in militant violence that began in late 2025. Despite record numbers of militant deaths, independent reports suggest that terrorist attacks in Pakistan rose by 34% year-on-year, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remaining the primary flashpoint. The military’s media wing emphasized that these terrorists were actively involved in numerous activities targeting security personnel and civilians alike.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that the war against terrorism would continue until its total elimination, noting that such successful operations are crucial for maintaining national stability during a period of high regional tension. The ongoing sanitization operation in Khyber aims to ensure that no remnants of the group remain in the area. For the defense community, this successful IBO serves as a testament to the enhanced intelligence coordination between various law enforcement agencies under the current counter-terrorism framework.
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