During an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan district, security forces successfully eliminated six terrorists, the military’s media affairs wing reported on Wednesday. An intense firefight ensued between the security forces and terrorists during the operation, resulting in the death of the six terrorists while one soldier was injured. Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the terrorists who were involved in various terrorist activities including target killings, extortion, and abduction of civilians. A sanitization operation is currently underway to root out any remaining terrorists in the area, with full support from the local community. This operation comes after a recent incident in which a soldier was martyred and nine militants were killed in separate IBPOs in KP’s Tank and South Waziristan. The increase in terror activities in Pakistan, particularly in KP and Balochistan, has been a cause for concern following the end of the ceasefire between the government and the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. 2023 saw a significant rise in violence-related fatalities and injuries, with KP and Balochistan being the primary centers of violence.