Security forces killed 22 terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the Shewa area of North Waziristan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday.

The military’s media wing said troops engaged militants belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij in an exchange of fire during the operation.

A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the killed terrorists, the statement added.

According to the ISPR, the search and clearance operation has been underway since May 17 after security forces received intelligence-based reports regarding the presence of militants in the area.

Security forces cordoned off the locality and effectively targeted terrorist hideouts during the operation in Shewa, the military said.

The ISPR added that the killed militants were involved in multiple terrorist activities.

Sanitisation operations are continuing in North Waziristan, while efforts to completely clear the area have been intensified, officials said.

According to reports, the terrorists used local residents as human shields, putting civilian lives at risk during the operation.

The ISPR said security forces were continuing counterterrorism operations under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam” and remained determined to eliminate terrorism from the country.

North Waziristan, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has remained a key focus of Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations in recent years.