BAJAUR/KOHAT/PESHAWAR: At least 12 militants were killed in a series of security operations in Bajaur, Hangu and North Waziristan districts between Friday night and Saturday, officials and local sources said.
Separately, a Station House Officer (SHO) was injured in Hangu during follow-up action after a bomb attack on Friday night that killed SP Asad Zubair and two police guards.
In North Waziristan’s Jhallar area, security forces killed three militants and averted a “potential catastrophic attack” by destroying a vehicle that was being prepared for a suicide attack, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Acting on intelligence about the presence of “Khawarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij”, the troops “effectively engaged” the location of the militants and destroyed the vehicle in addition to killing three militants.
SHO injured in follow-up action after attack on SP
The state uses the term. Fitna al-Khawarij to refer to the militants of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
“A disinfection operation is being carried out to eliminate any others sponsored by India. Kharji found in the area as a relentless anti-terrorist campaign… by Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue at full pace to eliminate the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR said.
Separately, security officials said a targeted operation in Bajaur’s War Mamund tehsil left five militants dead and several injured.
The operation, carried out based on intelligence reports about the presence of militants in the Badan area, continued for two days, according to residents who confirmed the sustained movement of security forces.
Local sources claimed that the militants were using a mosque built for refugees as a hideout. The ISPR did not immediately issue a statement on the Bajaur operation.
Bajaur Aman Jirga leaders staged a rally in the Umary area on Saturday night, demanding that authorities avoid harming civilians during operations.
In Hangu, four militants were killed in a shootout in the rugged mountains on Friday afternoon. The operation was launched after an improvised explosive device (IED) attack that martyred SP (Operations) Asad Zubair and two guards. The SHO of Doaba police station was injured in the subsequent action.
In recent months, the area has witnessed repeated attacks attributed to the banned TTP.
Published in Dawn, October 26, 2025
