Security Forces Kill 11 Militants in Bannu, South Waziristan, Khuzdar IBOs

Pakistani security forces killed 11 militants in a fresh round of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, per Radio Pakistan and security sources. In Bannu, forces killed 2 Fitna al-Khawarij (TTP-affiliated) militants and demolished their hideout, recovering weapons and ammunition. In the Ladha area of South Waziristan, 5 Fitna al-Khawarij militants were eliminated after their movements were tracked. In the Sasool area of Khuzdar district, Balochistan, 4 Fitna al-Hindustan (India-linked separatist) militants were killed with quadcopter/drone support. The operations continue under the 'Radd-ul-Fitna 3' and broader 'Azm-e-Istehkam' counterterrorism campaigns, and follow the August 21 nationwide IBOs that killed 49 militants. President Asif Ali Zardari said eliminating terrorist elements 'operating with foreign backing' was essential for national security; PM Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi both commended the security forces.