Pakistan’s security forces eliminated at least 24 militants during a major Bannu security operation conducted over the past 24 hours, the military’s media wing announced on Friday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was launched in response to a wave of attacks on police personnel and a vehicle-borne suicide bombing in Bannu district. Officials say the assaults were carried out by Fitna al-Khwarij, a group Islamabad describes as an India-backed proxy network operating in the region.
Intelligence-Based Raids Target Militant Networks
The ISPR statement explained that the recent spike in violence against law enforcement and civilians prompted security forces to launch coordinated, intelligence-driven raids across Bannu and its surrounding areas. The goal, officials said, was to track down those responsible for the attacks along with the broader support network sustaining them.
Following intense exchanges of fire, forces reported that 24 militants linked to Fitna al-Khwarij were killed during the operation. The ISPR added that weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site, noting that those killed had been actively involved in a series of terrorist attacks and the killing of innocent civilians.
Operations to Continue Under ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’
The military reaffirmed that operations in the Bannu region are far from over. ISPR stated that security forces and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) remain committed to bringing the perpetrators of these attacks to justice.
This latest Bannu security operation falls under the broader counter-terrorism campaign known as “Azm-e-Istehkam,” a strategy formally endorsed by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. Officials describe the campaign as an ongoing, full-scale effort to eliminate what they term foreign-sponsored terrorism from Pakistani soil.
Continued Vigilance in the Region
Security officials indicate that similar operations are likely to continue as long as militant activity persists in the area. The ISPR statement underscored that the fight against Fitna al-Khwarij and related networks remains a top priority for Pakistan’s armed forces.
As the situation develops, further updates on the Bannu security operation and related counter-terrorism efforts are expected from ISPR in the coming days.