RAWALPINDI: Security forces have neutralised 22 terrorists during a sanitisation operation launched on May 17 in the Shewa area of North Waziristan based on credible intelligence regarding the presence of India-sponsored militants, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Tuesday.

According to the military’s media wing, security forces eliminated “22 khawarij belonging to India-sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij” during the past 24 hours after an intense exchange of fire in which troops effectively engaged the militants’ location.

The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists, who were allegedly involved in multiple terrorist activities in the area.

“Presently the sanitisation operation is in progress and the area has been effectively cordoned off by security forces,” the statement added.

The military further said evidence suggested the militants had coerced and intimidated local residents to secure safe passage while using civilians as human shields.

“Such deplorable acts are highly condemnable and no justification can rationalise the endangerment of public lives,” it stated.

The army reiterated that the sanitisation operation would continue until all militants hiding in the area were eliminated.

It added that the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

Pakistan has witnessed a rise in cross-border militant attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent militant groups from using Afghan soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan.

Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in February this year following months of tensions and clashes along the border despite earlier ceasefire efforts between the two countries.