KARACHI: Pakistan’s military said on Wednesday four militants were killed in multiple operations across the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province this week, the latest in a series of security actions as Islamabad grapples with escalating violence along its border with Afghanistan.

The operations took place on Nov. 17–18 in Bajaur, North Waziristan and Dera Ismail Khan, areas that have seen a surge in attacks over the past two years. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) of using Afghan territory to plan and launch cross-border strikes, a charge Kabul denies. The increase in attacks has strained relations between the neighbors, with Islamabad urging Kabul to prevent militant sanctuaries on its soil.

The military also links the fighters to India, alleging they were part of “Indian-sponsored” networks operating in the region. New Delhi rejects such claims. 

In its statement, the military said troops had acted on intelligence reports and “effectively engaged the khwarij location,” referring to an ideological term the army uses for violent extremist groups. 

The army added that after an “intense fire exchange, one kharji was sent to hell.” The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were recovered from what it called the “Indian sponsored” militant.

According to the army, the first operation occurred in Bajaur district after reports of militant presence. Additional engagements took place in Spinwam and Zakir Khel in North Waziristan, while another encounter was reported in Dera Ismail Khan. Security forces said a sanitization operation was continuing in the wider area to locate any remaining militants.

The military said its counterterrorism efforts would continue “at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.”

Pakistan launched a renewed counterterrorism campaign earlier this year under the Azm-e-Istehkam initiative, which aims to intensify intelligence-led actions by the military and law enforcement agencies. Officials say the uptick in operations comes as militant attacks have risen sharply since 2021, particularly in areas bordering Afghanistan where the Afghan Taliban came to power after the withdrawal of US and allied forces.