Pakistan says 21 militants were killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa operations

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations said security forces killed 21 militants in several engagements across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between September 3 and 5. The statement described the fighters as members of “Fitna al-Khawarij,” the military’s term for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. [1][2]

The military said seven militants were killed in another engagement in North Waziristan, while four were killed in joint operations in Kohat and Dera Ismail Khan. It said sanitisation operations were continuing to search for additional fighters. [1]

The claim followed an earlier engagement along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border near North Waziristan on the night of August 31 and September 1. ISPR said 10 militants who had taken shelter in the area were later killed, bringing its reported total from that infiltration attempt to 25. [1][2]

Pakistan had initially said 15 militants attempting to enter from Afghanistan were killed after a 36-hour border engagement on September 3. The military also said weapons and ammunition were recovered during a follow-up search, though the available accounts provide no independent verification. [1]

The reported operations occurred amid broader Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions. Pakistan has accused Afghan authorities of allowing TTP militants to operate from Afghan territory, while Kabul has rejected the allegation; the TTP and Afghan Taliban are separate organisations despite longstanding ties. [1]