Pakistani forces carried out intelligence-led raids on two hideouts near the Afghan border, killing 15 militants — 10 in Dera Ismail Khan and five in North Waziristan. The military described those killed as "Khawarij" and said some had links to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), allegations Kabul and New Delhi deny. Islamabad says cross-border sanctuaries for TTP fighters continue to strain relations with Kabul.
Pakistan Raids Two Border Hideouts, Killing 15 Militants — Military Labels Them “Khawarij”
Pakistani forces carried out intelligence-led raids on two hideouts near the Afghan border, killing 15 militants — 10 in Dera Ismail Khan and five in North Waziristan. The military described those killed as "Khawarij" and said some had links to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), allegations Kabul and New Delhi deny. Islamabad says cross-border sanctuaries for TTP fighters continue to strain relations with Kabul.
06:01 PM, 11/18/2025Security
Pakistani security forces, acting on intelligence, raided two militant hideouts near the Afghan border in the country’s northwest and killed 15 militants, the military said Tuesday.
In the first operation in Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, troops killed 10 militants the military described as Pakistani Taliban. A subsequent raid in North Waziristan resulted in five more deaths, the statement added.
The military identified those killed as "Khawarij," a label officials use for militants they allege receive support from Afghanistan and India. The statement said the tally included individuals linked to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP); Kabul and New Delhi have denied providing backing.
The Pakistani Taliban are a separate group but maintain ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban, who took control of Kabul in 2021. Pakistani officials say many TTP leaders and fighters are believed to shelter across the Afghan border, a situation Islamabad says has repeatedly strained relations with Kabul.
Additional context
Authorities did not immediately provide details on casualties among security forces or any arrests. Independent verification of the raids and the militants' affiliations was not available at the time of the statement.