RAWALPINDI: Ten militants allegedly sponsored by India were killed during intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Thursday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted operations in the province and killed 10 militants. Clearance operations were continuing in the area to locate and eliminate any remaining militants, it said.
The ISPR said the operations were being conducted as part of the counterterrorism campaign under Azm-i-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.
The campaign, according to the military, would continue “at full pace” with the objective of eliminating foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
The ISPR also paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives during counterterrorism operations, saying their sacrifices strengthened the armed forces’ resolve to protect the country.
Pakistan has witnessed a significant increase 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 hotspots for violence during the second quarter of 2026.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the worst-affected province, accounting for more than 61 per cent of violence-related deaths recorded during the period, with 475 fatalities. Balochistan reported 265 deaths, or 34pc of the total.
KP also recorded the highest number of violent incidents during the quarter, with 151 cases, or 57pc of the nationwide total. Balochistan followed with 94 incidents, accounting for 35pc.
The figures underscore the concentration of militant violence in the two provinces, where security forces have continued operations against armed groups.
