Security forces neutralise terrorists’ hideouts in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali: ISPR

Security forces in Pakistan conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Muzak village near Mir Ali, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan region, on Monday. The operation led to the neutralisation of two terrorist hideouts, according to the military’s media wing. These hideouts belonged to the Indian-sponsored terrorist group, known as Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by the state to refer to Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) members.

During the raid, troops "sanitised" the hideouts, which were found inside mosques. The security forces recovered a substantial cache of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), explosive preparation materials, weapons, and ammunition from the sites. The ISPR statement highlighted that the terrorists had deliberately established hideouts inside places of worship, storing explosives and operating torture cells.

The statement emphasized the terrorists' disregard for Islamic teachings and their connection to the Afghan Taliban, rejecting their perverted interpretation of Islam.

The ISPR maintained that the terrorists were facilitated by the Afghan Taliban and had no genuine ties to Islam. The group stated that the operation was part of a relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the "vision Azm-i-Istehkam" and would continue to eliminate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country. President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for the successful IBO, calling their professionalism commendable.

He also denounced the use of mosques for terrorist activities, stating that it violated Islamic teachings.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi described the incident as "deeply distressing" and praised the security forces for the successful operation. He further called for intensified IBOs to restore peace in the province, reaffirming his support for the security forces in their efforts to bring lasting peace to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) reported a surge in terrorist activity across the country between October 30 and November 5, 2026, with 49 militant attacks recorded, resulting in 25 fatalities and 21 injuries.