Pakistani security forces have killed 18 militants in separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, state media reported on Wednesday.
Radio Pakistan said 13 militants were killed in an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The federal government uses the term “Fitna al-Khawarij” for members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Separately, state-run Pakistan Television reported that five militants were killed in Mastung district of Balochistan. Weapons and ammunition were recovered, and clearance and search operations were continuing in the area, the report said.
According to Radio Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for the operations.
Both provinces have seen a rise in militant attacks in recent years, and security forces have stepped up counter-terrorism operations. The claims have been reported by state media and have not been independently verified.
