PESHAWAR: At least 22 terrorists were killed in separate operations by security forces across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media affairs wing said on Monday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that two operations in North Waziristan and Kohat were conducted on November 8 and 9.

Two terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Wana tehsil of South Waziristan district on Monday, the ISPR said in a statement.

It further said that in a “heinous and cowardly act, terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna-al-Khwarij” — a term used by the state to refer to terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)— attacked Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan district.

The statement read that the assailants attempted to breach the perimeter security; however, security forces swiftly foiled their attempt.

In desperation, the attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the main gate. This caused the gate to collapse as well as damage to its adjacent infrastructure.

The security forces engaged the intruders with precision and killed two militants, while three managed to enter the college premises but were cornered in the administrative block.

“These khwarij … have once again tried to repeat the barbaric act of terrorism they carried out at Army Public School Peshawar in 2014,” the military’s media wing said.

The statement added that the attack aimed to instill fear among the youth of the erstwhile tribal areas.

It further stated that the militants hiding inside the college premises were in contact with their “masters and handlers in Afghanistan” to receive instructions from them.

“The blatant act of barbarism orchestrated by militants from Afghanistan contrasts with the Afghan Taliban regime’s assertions of no presence of such militant groups on their soil,” the ISPR said.

“Pakistan reserves the right to respond against terrorists and their leadership present in Afghanistan,” the statement added.

“Clearance operations being are conducted to eliminate the remaining Indian-sponsored khwarij”.

The statement read that security forces would continue their relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision “Azm-i-Istehkam” (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan). It concluded that the law enforcement agencies would continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign sponsored and supported militancy from the country.

North Waziristan, Kohat operations

Separately, during an intelligence-based operation in the general area of Shawal in North Waziristan, eight terrorists were killed by the security forces.

The ISPR said that another engagement took place in the Darra Adam Khel area of Kohat district. Following an intense exchange of fire, 12 terrorists were killed, it added.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2025