ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s security forces killed two militants after carrying out two separate operations in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the army’s media wing, ISPR, said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Both operations were carried out on the night of October 9 and led to intense exchange of fire. The first intelligence-based operation was conducted in general area of Kulachi in Dera Ismail Khan district where a known militant leader, Ikram, was killed after heavy fighting.

The second encounter took place in Miran Shah, located in North Waziristan district, where a militant hideout was targeted and led to the killing of another combatant.

“[Ikram] remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces including the recent terrorist attacks on Police Station Hathala & Rori Police Check Post,” said the ISPR statement.

“Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists,” it continued.

The ISPR said the residents of both areas appreciated the operations and “expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism” from the country.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant violence in recent days.

Much of the militant activity has taken place in the western provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that border Afghanistan.

The two provinces have also experienced major suicide attacks in recent weeks, targeting religious congregations that killed nearly 60 people.