Security forces successfully neutralized nine terrorists, including two “high-value targets,” in two separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), as reported by the Inter-Services Public Relations on Monday.

In an intelligence-based operation in Tira, Khyber District, security forces eliminated seven, including commanders Najeeb aka Abdul Rehman and Ishfaq alias Muavia. These were heavily involved in numerous terrorist activities and were wanted by law enforcement agencies. Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the deceased terrorists.

Read more: FC And Police Personnel Killed In Khyber Terrorist Attack

In another operation in Lakki Marwat district, troops engaged and eliminated two more terrorists. The ongoing sanitisation operations aim to eradicate any remaining terrorists, as security forces remain committed to wiping out terrorism from the country.

Pakistan has experienced a rise in attacks, particularly in regions bordering Afghanistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, often attributed to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concerns to the interim Taliban government about the use of Afghan soil by militant organizations, including the TTP, for launching attacks within Pakistan.

As part of its counter-terrorism efforts, security forces conducted 7,745 operations from April 1 to June 10 in Balochistan, KP, and Sindh. Of these, 4,902 were in Balochistan, 2,701 in KP, and 142 in Sindh. A total of 181 militants were killed: 128 in KP, 51 in Balochistan, and two in Sindh.

Recently, the federal government approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, a new counter-terrorism initiative. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured that this operation would not involve large-scale military action or population displacement.