The terrorists include two described as ‘kharji ring leaders’ by the ISPR

Pakistani security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Bagh area of Khyber district on January 25, resulting in the deaths of four militants, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced.

The ISPR press release stated that troops “effectively engaged the khwarij location” killing four militants, including “Kharjiring leaders Aziz ur Rehman@ Qari Ismail and Mukhlis.”

Two other militants were injured in the operation. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, who were described as being “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area against the security forces as well as killing of innocent civilians.”

The ISPR further stated that a “sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area” and reiterated the commitment of Pakistan’s security forces to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country.

Pakistan has seen an uptick in terrorist attacks in recent months and 2024 was described as the worst year for terrorism in a decade. A total of 685 security personnel and 1,612 civilians lost their lives in the year while and 934 terrorists were killed.