At least 13 militants were killed during intelligence-based operations by security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on March 6 and 7, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported.

The operations involved five separate encounters in Bajaur, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber, and South Waziristan districts, it added.

In Bajaur, an intelligence-based operation targeted a militant hideout, resulting in a fierce exchange of fire that left five militants dead.

Two operations in Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan killed three more militants affiliated with the India-backed Fitna Al Khawarij group.

Separate operations in Khyber and South Waziristan accounted for another five militants, the ISPR stated.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, who were involved in several incidents of terrorist activities in the region.

The ISPR stated that these operations are part of ongoing efforts to secure Pakistan’s borders, particularly along the Afghanistan frontier, and to eliminate any potential India-sponsored militants.

Security forces remain committed to defending the country and conducting counter-terrorism operations under the National Action Plan, continuing their mission to neutralise foreign-backed terrorist threats, it added.