10 militants killed in Pakistan intelligence-led operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Security forces in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province killed at least 10 militants and injured 16 others during multiple intelligence-based operations on Wednesday (August 12, 2026), police said. The operations were carried out in the Bannu district following intelligence reports and sustained surveillance of militant movements and hideouts.

The provincial police said the operations were launched after security forces tracked militant activity in several locations. Drones were used to target militants taking shelter at different places, while quadcopters were deployed to strike those hiding under trees or travelling on motorcycles. Several hideouts were destroyed during the offensive, and a large quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered.

Police said the militants had allegedly been using an Islamic seminary as a hideout. The premises were evacuated before the operation to ensure the safety of civilians. Security forces then engaged the militants inside after coming under fire, according to police.

The latest action comes amid heightened security activity in Bannu. On Tuesday (August 11, 2026), security forces had killed two militants in another intelligence-based operation near Adnan Cricket Stadium in the Jani Khel area. Search and clearance operations were continuing in the affected areas on Wednesday, police added.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan, has witnessed periodic militant violence for years. Pakistani security forces frequently conduct intelligence-based operations to dismantle militant networks in the region, often with the support of aerial surveillance. Such operations are aimed at targeting individuals involved in terrorist activities while taking precautions to avoid civilian casualties.

The use of drones and quadcopters in the recent operations reflects a growing reliance on aerial technology for precision strikes in densely populated areas. Police stated that the evacuation of the seminary was a deliberate step to minimise risk to civilians before military action commenced.

Local authorities have not yet released further details about the identities of the slain militants or any potential affiliation with known militant groups. Police have said that the recovery of weapons and the destruction of hideouts are part of ongoing efforts to stabilise the region.

Residents in the Bannu district have reported hearing explosions and gunfire during the operations, but officials have urged calm, emphasising that the actions were targeted at militants and not the local population. The situation remains tense, with security forces continuing patrols and search operations across the area.