Pakistan security forces during intelligence-based operations in Orakzai and Khyber districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Security forces conduct intelligence-based operations in Orakzai and Khyber districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. — ISPR

Security forces have killed 24 terrorists in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said on Friday.

According to the ISPR statement, the operations were carried out on February 4–5, 2026, in Orakzai and Khyber districts on reports of the presence of khawarij linked to Indian proxy Fitna-al-Khawarij.

“Twenty-four khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province,” the statement said.

Fitna-al-Khawarij is the term used by the state for terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Details of the Operations

The ISPR said that during an IBO in Orakzai district, troops effectively engaged the militants’ location, killing 14 terrorists after an intense exchange of fire.

In a separate operation in Khyber district, security forces neutralised 10 more terrorists.

Following the engagements, sanitisation operations were carried out to eliminate any remaining militants in the area.

“Security Forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country,” the ISPR added.

Operations Under ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ Continue

The military’s media wing said the counter-terrorism drive is being conducted under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.

Earlier in January, 11 terrorists were killed in two separate IBOs in KP.

The latest operations follow the conclusion of Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1, during which at least 216 terrorists were killed after militants belonging to Fitna-al-Hindustan (BLA)carried out coordinated attacks across Balochistan.

Casualties and Balochistan Attacks

The ISPR said that during recent counter-terrorism operations, 36 civilians, including women and children, and 22 personnel of security and law enforcement agencies embraced martyrdom.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti earlier stated that nearly 216 militants attacked multiple locations in the province, deliberately using civilians as human shields.

He also maintained that Afghan soil was being used for terrorist activities against Pakistan, with militant leadership operating from across the border.

In a press briefing on January 6, ISPR Director General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry revealed that 75,175 intelligence-based operations were conducted nationwide in 2025.

Breakdown of IBOs in 2025

  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 14,658

  • Balochistan: 58,778

  • Rest of Pakistan: 1,739

He said 5,397 terrorism incidents were reported across the country last year:

  • KP: 3,811 incidents

  • Balochistan: 1,557 incidents

  • Other areas: 29 incidents

A total of 2,597 terrorists were killed during counter-terrorism operations in 2025. Lt Gen Chaudhry added that civilians and soft targets were deliberately attacked in major terror incidents, with Afghan militants involved in all 10 major attacks reviewed.