Security Forces Neutralize Four Terrorists in Swat IBO

Security forces, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, eliminated four terrorists during a joint intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in the Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), according to the military’s media affairs wing on Friday.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that the joint IBO was executed on April 18, 2025, following credible intelligence regarding terrorist presence.

“During the operation, our troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, resulting in four being neutralized,” the statement conveyed. The term ‘Fitna Al Khawarij’ is used by the state to refer to the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Authorities further stated that weapons and ammunition were confiscated from the slain militants, who, as per ISPR, were actively involved in various terrorist activities in the region.

“A thorough sanitization operation is underway to clear the area of any remaining terrorists,” the statement added, reiterating the determination of security forces, alongside LEAs, to eradicate terrorism from the nation.

Pakistan saw a significant surge in terrorist incidents in January 2025, with a 42% increase compared to the prior month, based on data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a research organization.

The data indicated that there were at least 74 recorded militant attacks nationwide, leading to 91 deaths, encompassing 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Additionally, 117 individuals sustained injuries, including 53 security forces personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.

KP was identified as the most severely impacted province, followed by Balochistan. Within KP’s settled districts, militants perpetrated 27 attacks, causing 19 fatalities, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.

The tribal districts of KP (formerly Fata) experienced 19 attacks, which resulted in 46 deaths, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.