Pakistani security forces annihilated six terrorists on Friday during an intelligence-driven operation in the volatile Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to the military’s media wing, as reported by PTI.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that the operation took place in the Ghulam Khan Kalay area of the North Waziristan district after receiving intelligence about terrorist activity in the region.

“During the conduct of the operation, our troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location, as a result of which six Khwarij were sent to hell,” according to the statement of ISPR.

The statement also mentioned that weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists, who had been responsible for attacking security forces and killing innocent civilians.

“A sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Khwarij found in the area, as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country,” as per the ISPR statement.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for their "successful operation" in North Waziristan. In a statement, he reaffirmed his commitment to fighting terrorism, stating, "We will continue the war against terrorism until its complete eradication from the country." “I, along with the entire nation, pay tribute to the Pakistan Armed Forces for their unwavering resolve in defending the homeland.”

President Asif Ali Zardari released a separate statement, vowing to continue the operation against Fitna-al-Khwarij and emphasising that the “entire nation is united against terrorism.”

The Interior Ministry praised the security forces for their role in the operation.

“The efforts of the security forces to establish peace are commendable,” the ministry stated on X. “The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in eliminating Kharijite terrorists.”

Terrorist attacks have escalated since the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended a fragile ceasefire with the government in 2022.

On Monday, security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation in the Khyber district, killing 10 terrorists, according to the military’s media wing.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that troops launched the operation in Bagh late Sunday night after receiving intelligence about terrorist activity. The statement added that forces engaged the militants at their hideout, resulting in the elimination of all 10 individuals.

A security report by the Islamabad-based Pak Institute for Peace Studies has highlighted that terror attacks in 2024 have rushed to levels last seen in 2014.

While militants no longer hold territorial control as they did a decade ago, the report cautioned that the security situation in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan stays "alarming."