Security forces have recovered a large quantity of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), explosives and weapons from two terrorist hideouts inside mosques in North Waziristan, according to the military’s media wing.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operation took place on November 8, 2026, in Mozak village, south of Mir Ali. Acting on intelligence reports, security forces cleared two locations used by militants.
During the operation, troops recovered a large number of prepared IEDs, equipment used to manufacture explosives, weapons and ammunition.
According to the ISPR, militants had deliberately used mosques to store explosives. The locations were also being used as centres for torturing people.
The military’s media wing said the use of places of worship for terrorist activities was a clear violation of Islamic teachings. It alleged that the militants, identified as Fitna al-Khawarij, were operating with Indian backing and assistance from the Afghan Taliban.
The statement said people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and across Pakistan reject the militants’ attempts to misuse religion and portray their activities as Islamic.
Security forces are continuing clearance operations in the area to identify and eliminate other militant hideouts, the ISPR added.
It also said counterterrorism operations would continue under the National Action Plan and the federal government’s vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, with the aim of eliminating terrorism supported from outside the country.
Prime Minister, KP Governor praise security forces
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised security forces for the intelligence-based operation in Mozak village near Mir Ali, commending their professionalism and operational success.
He said the use of mosques to store explosives and establish centres for torture was a serious desecration of religious places and a clear departure from Islamic teachings.
The prime minister reiterated that security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue their operations with full force to eliminate terrorism from the country.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the use of mosques for terrorist activities.
Expressing concern after watching footage of the operation, he said mosques were places of peace and religious guidance, and their use for storing weapons and carrying out terrorist activities was deeply disturbing.
Kundi said similar complaints about the misuse of mosques had emerged in the former tribal districts in the past, adding that society could not accept such activities.
He said intelligence-based operations would be accelerated to restore peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and reaffirmed his support for security forces in their efforts to maintain law and order.
