According to the ISPR, an intelligence-based operation was launched in the Spinwam area of North Waziristan District on reports of militant presence.

“During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, eighteen Khwarij were sent to hell,” the statement said.

It added that another intelligence-based operation in South Waziristan resulted in the killing of eight militants, while in a third encounter in Bannu District, security forces neutralised eight more Khawarij.

“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored Khwarij found in the area as the relentless counterterrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’—as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan—will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR said.