ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces killed 13 militants during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province bordering Afghanistan, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday. 

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces carried out the IBO in the Daraban area in the northwestern Dera Ismail Khan district on the reported presence of Pakistani Taliban militants. 

“During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and resultantly, 13 Indian sponsored khwarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR said. 

Pakistan’s military frequently uses the word “khwarij” for the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). 

It said the slain militants were actively involved in numerous “terrorist” activities, which included facilitating a suicide bombing in Daraban in December 2023 which killed 23. The military’s media wing also said the militants were involved in the abduction and target killing of government officials and innocent civilians.

“Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji found in the area,” the ISPR added. 

Pakistan’s military has been carrying out intense operations in the country’s KP and southwestern Balochistan provinces. Last week, Pakistan security forces killed 31 militants in two separate raids in the northwestern Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts.

The Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides carrying out target killings and kidnappings of law enforcers.

Islamabad has frequently accused Afghanistan of allowing militants to use its soil for attacks against Pakistan. It also accuses India of backing militant groups against, while Kabul and New Delhi both deny Islamabad’s allegations.