Four India-backed terrorists killed in KP's Bannu IBO: security sources

• IBO part of ongoing efforts under Azm-e-Istehkam vision.
• Azm-e-Istehkam aimed at establishing peace in province.
• Operations underway in area to eliminate any other militants.

Security forces have killed four India-backed Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), security sources said on Saturday.

The operation was conducted as part of ongoing efforts under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision to eliminate Fitna al-Khawarij and establish lasting peace in the province.

According to security sources, a large cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the militants killed during the operation.

Clearance operations are underway in the area to eliminate any other militants who may be present, the sources added.

Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in cross-border terrorist incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Pakistan recorded its highest monthly number of militant attacks in 12 years during September 2026.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent its territory from being used by militant organisations to carry out attacks inside Pakistan.

Pakistan maintains that the Afghan Taliban regime has failed to take effective action against groups responsible for attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians.

Despite multiple rounds of talks, Islamabad and Kabul have yet to resolve their differences, with the issue of militant groups operating from Afghan soil remaining a major point of contention between the two sides.