“On night 23/24 October 2024, security forces conducted an intelligence based operation in Bajaur District on reported presence of Khwarij,” the military’s media affairs wing said in a statement on Thursday.

“During conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location and after intense fire exchange, nine Khwarij, including two Suicide Bombers and a High Value Target Kharji ring leader Said Muhammad @Qureshi Ustad were sent to hell,” it maintained.

The statement said that a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from killed Khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as innocent civilians.

“Sanitization operation is being carried out to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country,” it concluded.