PESHAWAR – Pakistan’s security forces delivered another blow to militant networks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing 16 terrorists, including two Afghan nationals, in a series of deadly intelligence-based operations across North Waziristan, ISPR said Saturday.
The fierce encounters also took lives of two Pakistani soldiers, the military’s media wing said as the latest operations unfolded within just 12 hours as security personnel launched coordinated raids against Khwarij in Ali Khel, Mir Ali, Datta Khel and surrounding areas.
In Ali Khel, troops engaged group of armed militants, triggering a fierce exchange of fire. At least 12 terrorists were killed during the encounter, including two Afghan nationals. The crackdown extended to Mir Ali and Datta Khel, where separate engagements resulted in the killing of two militants in each area, taking the combined militant death toll to 16.
The military identified the slain individuals as members of what it described as Indian-sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij, accusing them of involvement in terrorist activities, including attacks targeting innocent civilians.
The successful elimination of the militants came at a heavy cost, as two Pakistani soldiers lost their lives during the armed confrontations. Havildar Asmat Ali, 43, a resident of Swabi, and Naik Aftab Ali, 32, belonging to Mardan district were among those embraced martyrdom.
Security personnel also recovered weapons and ammunition from the killed militants, while follow-up clearance operations were launched to track down any remaining terrorist elements in the region.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to continuing counterterrorism operations under the government’s Azm-e-Istehkam initiative, declaring that efforts to dismantle foreign-sponsored militant networks would remain uninterrupted.
Waziristan encounters are part of much broader counterterrorism offensive that has intensified throughout 2026, particularly in the violence-hit provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Pakistani security forces have carried out a staggering 40,348 intelligence-based operations, eliminating 2,084 militants in their campaign against armed extremist organisations. The scale of the security crisis remains alarming. Official figures indicate that Pakistan recorded 3,145 terrorism-related incidents, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounting for 1,971 cases and Balochistan reporting another 1,148.
Terrorist Attacks Surge over 50%
Data shared by Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) shows troubling picture of Indian and Afghan backed militancy. Pakistan experienced 1,376 terrorist attacks between January and October 2026, marking a sharp 53% increase over the same period in 2025.
The numbers show disturbing reality while security forces are eliminating militants in large numbers, terrorist groups continue attempting attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The latest killing of 16 militants in North Waziristan represents another significant operational success for Pakistan’s security forces, but the martyrdom of two soldiers and the continued rise in militant attacks underscore the human cost and complexity of the country’s prolonged battle against terrorism.
Pak Army foil Afghan Infiltration at Marghina Border; One Terrorist killed
