Following reports of the presence of Khwarij, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Shawal area of North Waziristan District.

During the operation, eight militants were killed after a coordinated engagement by troops, the Inter Services Public Relations said in a statement.

Another intelligence-based operation was conducted in Dara Adam Khel District, and after an intense fire exchange, 12 more Khwarij were neutralised.

Security forces are conducting further clearance operations to locate any remaining Indian-sponsored militants in the area, the statement said.

The military said that the actions are part of the ongoing Counter-Terrorism campaign ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, aimed at eliminating foreign-backed terrorism from Pakistan.