Pakistan says over 20 militants killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa operations

Pakistan's security forces killed more than 20 militants in several clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province from September 3 to 5, Report informs, citing Dawn.

Pakistan's military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said those killed belonged to Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by Pakistani authorities for militants associated with the Pakistani Taliban.

ISPR said that since the beginning of September, 25 militants attempting to infiltrate Pakistan from across the border with Afghanistan had been killed in North Waziristan district.

The military said security forces remained determined to protect Pakistan's borders and would continue preventing attempts to use border areas for cross-border terrorism.

The operations were carried out as part of Pakistan's Azm-e-Istehkam counterterrorism campaign, according to the statement.