Security forces kill 10 terrorists in IBOs under Operation 11 Gurj across K-P

Security forces killed 10 terrorists in separate Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) under Operation 11 Gurj, security sources said on Sunday.

According to the Associated Press of Pakistan APP, security forces continued conducting IBOs under Operation 11 Garaj across K-P, targeting terrorists' hideouts and facilitators. The operation has been ongoing across K-P over the past two months,

In a statement, security sources said two members of Fitna al-Khawarij were killed in the Shakro area of Bajaur district, while eight others were killed in the Darbi Khel and Batan areas of Khyber district.

The sources said the operations were carried out on the basis of verified intelligence as part of an ongoing campaign against terrorist groups aimed at clearing the area of militants and ensuring peace and stability.

They added that security forces would continue operations until terrorism was completely eliminated.

Fitna al-Khawarij is the term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Separately, security forces killed a key terrorist commander, identified as Muawiya, the mastermind behind the Hangu check post attack, during an IBO in the Chapri Naryab area of K-P's Hangu district, according to Radio Pakistan.

On July 30, nine policemen, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Diyar Khan, were martyred and 28 others, including DSP Mujahid Hussain, were injured after terrorists attacked the police check post in Hangu district, while police killed 15 terrorists and wounded several others in a retaliatory operation.

State broadcaster PTV said in a post on X that Muawiya held an important position within the Fitna al-Khawarij, ranking after Commander Kazim. It added that the terrorist was wanted by security forces in connection with numerous terrorist activities.

Read: Afridi vows unrelenting fight against terrorism

Citing security sources, APP noted that the latest operation was carried out in the Shakro area of Bajaur, where forces engaged and destroyed terrorists' hideouts based on intelligence.

The sources added that several terrorists were killed, with many others injured, during the operations. According to the sources, security forces also apprehended terrorist facilitators and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition during the campaign.

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also located and destroyed by security personnel.

The operations, being conducted with the support of ground forces and quadcopter surveillance, forced terrorists to flee populated areas while enhancing the effectiveness of the IBOs, APP said, citing sources.

Read More: Kundi urges anti-terror IBOs across K-P

A day earlier, five "Indian-sponsored" terrorists were killed in an IBO in K-P's Razmak area, while 24 were killed on July 29 in the province's Khyber district.

UNSC confirms rise in TTP attacks from Afghanistan

Terrorism has significantly increased in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, in recent days. The rise in terrorist activity has led to growing concerns over the security situation in these regions. In response, security forces have been conducting intensive operations to counter the threat, targeting terrorist groups.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), in a report released in February, also drew attention to a series of attacks by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) against Pakistani security forces and projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

"On September 16, 2025, the BLA ambushed a Pakistani military convoy patrolling the corridor, killing 32 troops. While counter-terrorism operations by Pakistan restricted the BLA's operational space, it remained active".

The report added that some member states reported that the BLA collaborated with the TTP and ISIL-K through shared training camps and resources, coordinating attacks and meetings between commanders. Some member states assessed that there was neither an association nor growing ties between the BLA and Al Qaeda or ISIL.

Also read: Three more terrorists killed in ongoing Operation Shaban: security sources

It further highlighted that various groups in Afghanistan had acquired modern weapons and equipment through cross-border smuggling and black-market trade.

"TTP used advanced assault rifles, night-vision devices, thermal-imaging devices, sniper systems and drone attack systems. Most of these were provided by the de facto authorities in conjunction with weapons permits and travel documents," it said.

In August 2025, the UN's 1988 Taliban sanctions committee monitoring team's annual report said outlawed terrorist groups - BLA, including its Majeed Brigade, and TTP had "close coordination".

The UNSC report said "some BLA attacks showed a high degree of complexity and brutality", citing the hijacking of the Jaffar Express in Balochistan on March 11, 2025, which killed 31 people, including 21 hostages.