Security forces in Pakistan have killed at least 22 militants linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during a major intelligence-based operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military said on Thursday. The raid was launched in Dera Ismail Khan after reports emerged about the presence of members of the group referred to by authorities as “Fitna Al-Khawarij”. According to the military, troops “effectively engaged at the hideout of the terrorists, and after an intense exchange of fire, 22 were eliminated”.Officials said a combing operation was continuing to ensure no other militants remained in the area.
Police face deadly attacks amid rising militant activity
The operation came as the province witnessed another series of violent incidents targeting law enforcement. Overnight, militants armed with assault rifles opened fire on a police checkpoint in Hangu district, killing three officers before escaping. Officers returned fire, but it remained unclear whether the attackers suffered casualties, District Police Chief Khan Zeb said.A search effort to track down the assailants is ongoing, with investigators suspecting the Pakistani Taliban, who have been linked to similar assaults in recent years. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the officers killed in Hangu, praising their “bravery and sacrifice” and noting that police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were playing a crucial role in countering militancy.The attack followed a deadly assault days earlier in Peshawar, where two suicide bombers and a gunman stormed a paramilitary headquarters, killing three officers and injuring 11.
Explosive incidents deepen concerns across Pakistan
In addition to targeted attacks on security forces, civilians have also suffered from a rise in explosions across the country. In Balochistan’s Bolan district, three children were killed when an explosive device detonated outside their home on Wednesday. Police official Jan Mohammad Khosa said investigations were ongoing.Separately, two young men died in Bajaur district after an abandoned landmine exploded in the Jannat Shah area. The victims, identified as Shamshad, 18, and Usman, 22, were passing through when the device went off. Security teams cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace those responsible.Pakistan has experienced a marked surge in militant violence in recent years, with officials frequently blaming the TTP. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of allowing the group to operate from its territory, a claim Kabul denies, though tensions have remained high since 2021.
