“In the early hours of November 2, 2024, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Sarwakai, South Waziristan District on reported presence of khawarij,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release.

The ISPR said that four khawarij were killed in a gun battle with security forces.

“Sanitisation operation is being carried out to eliminate any other Khariji found in the area as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country,” the press release stated.

Earlier this year, the government designated the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan as Fitna al Khawarij while ordering all institutions to use the term khariji (outcast) when referring to the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on Pakistan.

Last month, a Pakistan Army major and two soldiers were martyred during an IBO in KP’s Bannu district.