Pakistan Army Says 49 Militants Killed in Security Operations in Northwest and Southwest

Pakistan Army Says 49 Militants Killed in Security Operations in Northwest and Southwest

The Pakistani military announced on Friday, August 21, 2026, that 49 militants were killed during a series of intelligence-based security operations targeting several hideouts in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
In a statement, the military said its forces carried out separate operations during the week in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in northwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border, resulting in the deaths of 12 militants.
It added that other security operations were conducted in Balochistan, southwestern Pakistan, where 37 militants were killed, bringing the total number of militants killed in the operations to 49.
Pakistani authorities renewed their accusations that militants from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatist groups use safe havens inside Afghan territory and receive support from India. Afghan authorities and the Indian government have denied these allegations.
The operations come as part of a broader security campaign by Pakistani forces in response to increased activity by armed groups, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which have witnessed a series of attacks and security confrontations in recent months.