21 terrorists killed in North Waziristan IBOs in last 72 hours: ISPR

Pakistani security forces have killed 21 terrorists in North Waziristan during intelligence-based operations over the last 72 hours, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The military's media wing stated that multiple terrorist locations in the Miranshah area and its surroundings were engaged. Fierce exchanges of fire resulted in the elimination of 21 "khwarij" belonging to the Indian-sponsored Fitna-al-Khawarij group. Among those killed were four ring leaders: Kharji Khalid Raza alias Salar, Kharji Muftoon, Kharji Musa, and Kharji Imran alias Ayan. The ISPR described this as a significant blow to the network operating in the region.

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Following fierce fire exchanges, in [the] last 72 hours, 21 more khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna-al-Khawarij, including four kharji ring leaders (Kharji Khalid Raza alias Salar, Kharji Muftoon, Kharji Musa and Kharji Imran alias Ayan) have been sent to hell, thereby causing a significant blow to the khwarijs’ network operating in the area.

The Pakistani government uses the term "Fitna al-Khawarij" to refer to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates. The ISPR identified the killed ring leaders as highly wanted for their involvement in numerous terrorist activities, including the killing of security forces personnel and innocent civilians. Since the operations commenced last week, a total of 48 terrorists have been killed.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists. The ISPR affirmed that the relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision 'Azm-i-Istehkam' will continue at full pace to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism. Security forces are conducting sanitization operations to eliminate remaining terrorists. The situation in Pakistan has seen a sharp deterioration in security in May 2026, with escalating terrorist violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

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The relentless counterterrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.