ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday praised Pakistani security forces for conducting a successful counter-terror operation in South Waziristan in which four militants were killed, state-run media reported, as the country grapples with a resurgence of militancy in its western regions.

Militant violence has intensified in recent months in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and southwestern Balochistan provinces, targeting both security forces and civilians.

While armed factions in Balochistan are largely nationalist separatists, the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has primarily fueled unrest in KP. While their goals differ, Pakistani authorities say these factions have at times collaborated with each other.

“Security Forces conducted an intelligence based operation in general area Sarwakai, South Waziristan District on reported presence of khwarij [militants],” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said.

“During the conduct of operation, khwarij’s location was effectively engaged by own troops, as a result of which, four khwarij were sent to hell,” it added.

Sharif expressed his resolve to continue operations till militancy is not eliminated from the country. 

“In his statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue the fight against terrorism till complete elimination of the menace from the country,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said. 

A follow-up “sanitization operation” was underway in the area to clear any remaining militants in the restive tribal district, the ISPR informed, emphasizing the military’s resolve to eliminate extremist violence from the country.

Pakistan has frequently accused neighboring Afghanistan of sheltering and supporting militant groups, urging the Taliban administration in Kabul to prevent its territory from being used by armed factions to launch cross-border attacks.

Afghan officials, however, have repeatedly denied involvement, insisting Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter.