Pakistan security forces kill 23 militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Security forces in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province carried out intelligence‑based operations in Datta Khel, Spinwam and Bannu, killing 23 militants. The operation neutralised the kharji ring‑leader Jan Meer, also known as Toor Saqib, who was wanted for multiple attacks on civilians and security personnel. Troops recovered weapons, ammunition, large caches of explosives and improvised explosive devices, and destroyed underground tunnels and bunkers used by the militants.

The killings were part of the ongoing “Azm‑e‑Istehkam” counter‑terrorism campaign approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the forces for the timely action, noting the operations aim to eliminate Indian‑sponsored terrorist networks from the country. The incident follows a recent decline in militant attacks in the region after a broader cross‑border campaign and talks held in Urumqi, China.