RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s security forces, in coordination with law enforcement agencies, conducted a joint intelligence-based operation in Khyber District on April 21, 2026, resulting in the killing of 22 militants, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The operation was launched following reports of the presence of militants in the area. During the engagement, security forces carried out what officials described as a precise and effective response, leading to an intense exchange of fire in which all 22 suspected militants were neutralized.
However, the operation also witnessed a tragic loss of civilian life. According to the statement, militants resorted to indiscriminate firing during the encounter, resulting in the martyrdom of a 10-year-old child.
Security forces recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition from the militants, who were reportedly involved in multiple terrorist activities in the region.
A sanitization operation is currently underway to ensure that no remaining militants are present in the area. Authorities reaffirmed that counterterrorism efforts will continue under the framework of “Azm-e-Istehkam,” a national initiative aimed at eliminating militancy and strengthening internal security.
The military emphasized that such operations reflect Pakistan’s continued commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety of its citizens, while noting that sacrifices made by innocent civilians further reinforce national resolve against militancy.
