In a major blow to foreign-sponsored militancy, Pakistan’s Security Forces neutralized nine terrorists, including a suicide bomber, during high-intensity Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations targeted members of the state-designated “Fitna-al-Khawarij” (formerly TTP), described as proxies acting on behalf of external foreign interests.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کا بلوچستان کے علاقے ضلع پشین میں بھارتی حمایت یافتہ فتنہ الخوارج کے4 دہشت گردوں کو ہلاک کرنے پر سیکیورٹی فورسز کو خراج تحسین
“پوری قوم دہشت گردی کے خلاف اس جنگ میں پاکستان کی افواج کے ساتھ کھڑی ہے۔ ہم ملک سے ہر قسم کی دہشت گردی کے مکمل خاتمے کے لئے… pic.twitter.com/fXsQi2cSJJ
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 23, 2026
Operational Highlights
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Dera Ismail Khan (KP): Security forces engaged a militant hideout on Monday. Following an intense fire exchange, four terrorists were killed. A cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the site.
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Pishin (Balochistan): During an operation on Sunday, forces intercepted a terrorist formation. A suicide bomber detonated his explosives in a cowardly act, while four other militants were “hunted down” by the troops.
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Prevented Attacks: The Balochistan Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) confirmed that the neutralized cell in Pishin had planned large-scale attacks on the Police Lines and Cadet College Pishin.
National Resolve
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued separate statements commending the bravery of the security personnel. The President remarked that the successful IBOs reflect the nation’s unwavering resolve to eradicate “Indian-backed” terrorism. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that the entire nation stands behind the armed forces as they make daily progress under the “Azm-i-Istehkam” vision.
Sanitization operations remain underway in both districts to eliminate any remaining threats. This latest success follows a surge in counter-terrorism activity, including the elimination of 14 militants in Quetta and Barkhan and four in Lakki Marwat over the past week.
