Security forces killed 21 India-sponsored Fitna Al Khwarij militants in intelligence-based operations in the Miranshah area and the surrounding regions of North Waziristan, authorities said on Saturday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), four of the slain Kharji Ring leaders — identified as Khalid Raza alias Salar, Muftoon, Musa and Imran alias Ayan — were key figures and were highly wanted for their involvement in numerous terrorist activities, including the killing of security forces personnel and innocent civilians.

The military said a total of 48 militants had been killed over the past 72 hours during ongoing operations in the region.

Weapons and ammunition have also been recovered from the slain militants, the ISPR added.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for a successful operation against militants in Miranshah, calling the troops’ efforts commendable and saying the country stood behind its security forces in the fight against terrorism.

He said the nefarious designs of militants had been defeated and reiterated that security forces were eliminating both militants and their facilitators with public support.

The ISPR said clearance operations were continuing in North Waziristan as part of counterterrorism efforts aimed at eliminating the remaining militant presence in the area.