Eight terrorists were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday and Tuesday, the military’s media wing said.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said that security forces conducted an intelligence based operation in the Tank district on the reported presence of Khwarij.

Six terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with terrorists.

In another encounter that took place in the general area of Khyber’s Tirah valley, troops killed two Khwarij.

“Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country,” it said.

On Monday, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir said that any attempt to disrupt Pakistan’s peace would be met with “decisive military force.”

The army chief said this during Peshawar’s visit, where he received a security briefing. The COAS emphasised the army’s commitment to combating terrorism, specifically targeting the banned Fitna Al Khawarij.

Pakistan has been battling a resurgence of militant violence in its western border regions since the Taliban’s 2021 return to power in Afghanistan.

Last year saw casualties hit a six-year high, with more than 1,500 civilians, security forces and militants killed, according to the Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies.