Security forces killed a terrorist in an exchange of fire during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district on Monday, according to the military’s media wing.

According to a press release from the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted the IBO based on the reported presence of terrorists.

“During the conduct of operation, intense fire exchange took place between own troops and terrorists as a result of which terrorist Naikman Ullah was sent to hell,” the ISPR said.

It added that he remained “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities, including target killing of innocent civilians”. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from him

The ISPR further said that a sanitisation operation was under way to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area.

“Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country,” the ISPR said.

Three militants were killed in an IBO in Titterkhel town of Lakki Marwat district on Saturday.

Security forces killed two terrorists in an IBO in North Waziristan district on Friday.

Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in the past year, especially in KP and Balochistan after the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.

According to an annual security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, Pakistan witnessed 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations in 2023 — marking a record six-year high.

KP and Balochistan were the primary centres of violence, accounting for over 90 per cent of all fatalities and 84pc of attacks, including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations.