Security Forces carrying out an ISPR-confirmed intelligence-based operation in Bajaur and Bannu districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where 23 Al-Khwarij terrorists were killed under the Azm-e-Istehkam campaign.
Pakistan Army soldiers on patrol in North Waziristan. ISPR says 25 terrorists were killed during major operations in KP districts near the Afghan border.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Security Forces killed 23 terrorists belonging to the Indian-sponsored militant network Al-Khwarij during two major intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Bajaur and Bannu districts.
A separate early-morning incident on November 18 resulted in the elimination of another terrorist when an IED he was planting exploded.

Bajaur Operation: 11 Terrorists, Including Ring Leader Abuzar, Killed

ISPR confirmed that an intelligence-based operation was launched in Bajaur District on reported presence of militants.
During the engagement, Security Forces “effectively engaged the khwarij location,” killing 11 terrorists, including their ring leader Sajjad alias Abuzar, the ISPR statement said.

Bannu Operation: 12 More Terrorists Neutralized

In a separate IBO in Bannu District, Security Forces successfully neutralized 12 additional terrorists belonging to the Indian-backed outfit, ISPR reported.

The media wing of the military added that sanitization operations are underway to track and eliminate any remaining militants in the area.

Terrorist Eliminated While Planting IED

ISPR also reported that in the early hours of 18 November 2025, one terrorist associated with Al-Khwarij was killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) he was attempting to plant in a busy area of Bannu detonated prematurely.

According to ISPR, after repeated failures, terrorists are attempting to target soft targets, but effective counter-terrorism operations are significantly degrading their capabilities. The commitment to completely eradicate terrorism under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam” remains firm.

Azm-e-Istehkam Campaign to Continue

The ISPR reiterated that the relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision “Azm-e-Istehkam” — approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan — will continue at full pace.

The military’s media wing emphasized that foreign-sponsored terrorism will be eradicated, and all Indian-backed militants will be pursued until their complete elimination.