ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed six terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, the military’s media affairs wing said on Sunday.
The IBO was conducted on Saturday in D.I. Khan’s general area of Zarkani on the “reported presence of khawarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij”, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Fitna al-Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
“Owing to [the] meticulous conduct of operation by security forces, six India-sponsored khawarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR said.
However, two soldiers, 36-year-old Naik Ghulam Murtaza from Gujrat,
and 30-year-old Talagang native Sepoy Taseer Ahmed “fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifices and embraced martyrdom”.
“Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists, who had “remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as the killing of innocent civilians”, the ISPR said. A sanitisation operation was underway to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area, it added.
‘Commander’ killed in Qila Saifullah
Security forces also killed a terrorist commander during an IBO in Balochistan’s Qila Saifullah district, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday, citing security sources.
The slain commander was identified as Adil Shah alias Darvesh, who belonged to Fitna al-Khawarij, the report said.
According to security sources, he had been associated with the group since December 2020 and had managed its financial affairs since 2024.
He was also involved in arranging permanent residences for foreign terrorists in Zhob, Sherani and Shaban in Balochistan, the report said.
The sources added that he had been involved in attacks on security forces and kidnappings for ransom since 2022.
Nineteen first information reports had been registered against him, and a bounty of Rs2.5 million had been placed on his head.
“Security forces are continuing operations against terrorists in Balochistan under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-3,” the report added. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti commended the security forces for the operation, saying it reflected their professional expertise, determination and commitment to eliminating terrorism.
He added that operations under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-3 demonstrated the provincial government’s resolve to eradicate terrorism from Balochistan.
Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2026
