Pakistan’s military confirmed that nine militants allegedly linked to India-backed Al-Khariji network were killed in two separate counterterrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the raids took place on December 19 in Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu districts, following intelligence reports of militant activity.

According to ISPR, four militants were killed after an intense gun battle in Dera Ismail Khan, while five others were neutralized in Bannu. Authorities recovered weapons and ammunition from the sites. The slain militants were reportedly involved in attacks on security forces, law enforcement, and civilians. A sanitization operation is ongoing to ensure no further militant presence in the area.

Islamabad has repeatedly blamed the surge in cross-border terrorism on developments following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Security analysts warn that the persistent instability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan could further strain Pakistan’s counterterrorism capacity and regional relations.