Pakistan army kills 22 militants in North Waziristan clearance operation

Pakistan security forces carried out a sanitisation operation in the Shewa area of North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing 22 militants. The operation, launched on May 17 after intelligence reports of militant presence, saw troops engage the insurgents in heavy fighting. The Inter‑Services Public Relations said the fighters belonged to the group labelled “Fitna‑al‑Khwarij” and that weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site. Militants had reportedly used civilians as human shields, a practice the army condemned as “deplorable.” President Asif Ali Zardari praised the forces, stating the operation demonstrated “professional capabilities” and confirming the nation's support for the counter‑terrorism campaign “Azm‑e‑Istehkam.” Clearance efforts continue to remove any remaining elements.

The attack is part of an ongoing broader campaign against foreign‑supported militancy in Pakistan’s tribal districts.