Rawalpindi, May 21, 2026: Inter-Services Public Relations on Thursday said security forces killed 23 militants during a series of intelligence-based operations conducted in multiple areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past 48 hours.
According to the military’s media wing, the operations were launched on credible intelligence reports as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle militant networks and eliminate terrorist threats in the province. The operations were expanded to key hotspots including Datta Khel, Spinwam, and Bannu.
The ISPR stated that security forces effectively engaged multiple militant hideouts during intense exchanges of fire, resulting in the killing of 23 militants belonging to what it described as the Indian-sponsored “Fitna-al-Khwarij.”
Among those killed was alleged ring leader Jan Meer alias Toor Saqib, who, according to the statement, was highly wanted by security forces and the government for his alleged involvement in numerous terrorist activities, including attacks on security personnel and civilians. Authorities had also announced a head money for his capture.
The military said weapons, ammunition, explosives, and a large cache of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered from the slain militants. During subsequent sanitization operations, security forces also uncovered and destroyed an extensive network of underground tunnels and bunkers allegedly used by militants in the region.
The ISPR said sanitization operations were continuing to eliminate any remaining militants hiding in the affected areas.
The military reaffirmed that the ongoing counterterrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam,” approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, would continue with full momentum to eradicate what it termed foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.
