Pakistani forces kill 18 terrorists in operations in KP, Balochistan

Pakistani security forces have killed 18 terrorists in separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, state media reported on Wednesday.

According to Radio Pakistan, security forces killed 13 "Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists" during an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The federal government uses the term 'Fitna al-Khawarij' for members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Separately, five terrorists were killed in an operation in Mastung district of Balochistan, Pakistan Television reported.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists, while clearance and search operations were underway in the area, the report said.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for the operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, according to Radio Pakistan.

Both provinces have witnessed a surge in militant attacks in recent years, prompting security forces to step up counter-terrorism operations.