Pakistan Army killed 23 ‘India-backed’ terrorists in major operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province

The country’s army has claimed to have killed 23 terrorists in a series of intelligence-based operations in the last 48 hours in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Pakistani military’s media wing has reported that the slain terrorists have been identified as ‘India-backed Fitna-ul-Khawarij’.

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the operations were carried out targeting terrorist hideouts in various areas including Datta Khel, Spinwam and Bannu. These operations, conducted based on reliable intelligence inputs, also saw intense firing at several places.

The statement said that top commander Jan Mir alias ‘Tor Shakib’ was among those killed in the operation. He was accused of attacking security forces and civilians and was considered a prominent terrorist listed by law enforcement agencies.

Pakistani military sources claim that a large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives have been recovered in the operation. In addition, underground tunnels and bunkers used by terrorists have also been destroyed. However, there was no immediate reaction from India on Pakistan's 'India-backed' claim.