Senior terrorists' leaders killed in Khyber district IBOs

ISPR confirms death of senior terrorist leaders during operation in Bagh

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Pakistani security forces killed four terrorists, including two senior leaders, during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber district, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed.

The operation targeted a terrorist hideout in the Bagh area of Khyber district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province after intelligence reports confirmed the presence of extremists, Express News reported.

The operation led to the elimination of Aziz-ur-Rehman, also known as Qari Ismail, and another senior terrorist leader, Mukhlis, ISPR said in a statement.

Two other terrorists were injured, and weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site.

“These terrorists were involved in multiple acts of terrorism targeting security forces and innocent civilians,” the ISPR said, adding that a clearance operation is underway to eliminate any remaining threats in the area.

The military reiterated its commitment to eradicating terrorism, stating that such operations are part of broader efforts to ensure national security.

Earlier this week, a terrorist identified as an Afghan national was killed in Sambaza, Zhob district of Balochistan on 11 January 2025, the ISPR reported on Tuesday.

The individual, Muhammad Khan Ahmedkhel, son of Haji Qasim Dawran Khan, was a resident of Bilorai village in Wazekhwa district, Paktika province, Afghanistan.

The deceased was involved in acts of terrorism within Pakistan, the ISPR stated.

After completing legal formalities, Ahmedkhel’s body was handed over to officials of the Interim Afghan Government (IAG) on 20 January.

ISPR noted the incident as "irrefutable evidence of Afghan nationals’ involvement in terrorist activities within Pakistan." The military urged Kabul to "fulfil its responsibilities" by ensuring Afghan soil is not used to launch terror attacks against Pakistan.

In 2024, the Pakistan Army conducted a record 59,775 intelligence-based operations, eliminating 925 terrorists, including 73 high-value targets—the highest number of neutralised militants in five years.