Security forces have killed 18 militants in separate operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, according to security sources.
The operations were conducted in North Waziristan and surrounding areas of KP, as well as Mastung in Balochistan. Security sources said 13 militants were killed during an operation targeting suspected militant hideouts in North Waziristan. Five more militants were killed in a separate operation in Mastung.
Authorities said weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants following the operations. Security personnel also launched clearance activities in the affected areas to search for any remaining militants and secure the locations. Officials said the clearance process was aimed at preventing militants from regrouping and restoring security in the targeted areas.
The operations were described as part of Pakistan’s wider counterterrorism efforts under the Azm-e-Istehkam framework. In Balochistan, the security forces targeted what the sources described as members of Fitna al-Hindustan, while the KP operation was linked by the sources to Fitna al-Khawarij.
The latest operations come as Pakistan continues to face an increase in militant violence, particularly in KP and Balochistan. According to data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), Pakistan recorded 225 militant attacks in September 2026. The figure was 199 in August, representing a 13% increase and marking the third consecutive month of rising attacks.
Islamabad has repeatedly called on the Afghan Taliban authorities to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to plan or launch attacks against Pakistan. Pakistani officials maintain that effective action against these groups remains insufficient.
Despite several rounds of discussions between Islamabad and Kabul, the two sides have not resolved their differences over militant groups allegedly operating from Afghan soil. The issue remains a major source of tension between the neighboring countries as Pakistan continues its efforts to strengthen security along its western borders and curb cross-border militant activity.
