By The South Asia Times

PESHAWAR - Pakistan’s security forces and police killed at least 11 militants in separate operations in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said on Sunday, as authorities intensified a counterterrorism crackdown following recent attacks on law enforcement personnel.

 

According to the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), five militants linked to the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Lakki Marwat district.

 

Troops engaged the militants after receiving intelligence about their presence, and after an intense exchange of fire, the militants were killed. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site, the military said.

 

In a separate encounter, police and counterterrorism units killed six militants in the jurisdiction of Lachi police station in Kohat district after coming under attack from armed suspects who had reportedly set up ambush positions in the area. Officials said grenades, submachine guns, and ammunition were recovered from the scene, indicating preparations for a prolonged clash.

 

Authorities said search and “sanitization” operations were continuing in both areas to ensure no other militants remained in hiding.

 

The latest operations come as police and security forces step up raids across several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank District, North Waziristan and South Waziristan after a recent wave of militant attacks on security personnel.

 

Last week, seven police officers were killed in Lakki Marwat when militants targeted their vehicle with an improvised explosive device, according to local authorities.

 

Pakistan has seen a rise in militant violence in its western regions since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021.

Islamabad has repeatedly accused authorities in Afghanistan of allowing militants linked to the TTP to operate from Afghan territory and launch cross-border attacks, an allegation the Taliban regime denies.

 

In response, Pakistan has intensified counterterrorism operations along the border and, in recent weeks, has also conducted strikes targeting suspected militant hideouts and infrastructure across the frontier. Officials say these measures are aimed at dismantling networks responsible for attacks inside the country.