Security forces killed four terrorists in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Thursday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the four terrorists killed during the operations belonged to Fitna Al Khawarij, referring to the term used by the state to designate members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

“On [the] reported presence of khwarij, an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted by security forces in Dera Ismail Khan district,” ISPR said in a statement.

“During [the] conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged [the] khwarij location and after [an] intense exchange of fire, two khwarij … were sent to hell.”

ISPR added that another IBO was conducted in the Mohmand district of the province.

“In [the] ensuing skillful engagement, two more khwarij were effectively neutralised,” the statement added.

It further said weapons and ammunition were recovered from the dead terrorists, who remained actively involved in terrorist activities in the area.

“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other kharji found in the area, as [the] relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm e Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” ISPR stated.

At the end of last month, 13 terrorists were killed during a two-day operation in KP’s Darra Adamkhel area, including two Afghan nationals who belonged to the Tariq Gidar group — a TTP affiliate.

There has been a resurgence in terrorism in Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil, particularly those linked to the banned TTP. Officials say those appeals have gone unheeded.