Pakistan’s security forces have killed 18 suspected militants in separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, according to security officials.

In North Waziristan, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation targeting militant hideouts in the district and surrounding areas, killing 13 suspected militants, officials said.

In a separate operation in Mastung district of Balochistan, security forces killed five suspected militants in an action targeting what authorities described as militants linked to Fitna al-Hindustan.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants, according to security officials.

A clearance operation was continuing in the area to search for any remaining militants and secure the affected locations.

The operations were carried out as part of Pakistan’s ongoing security campaign against militant groups under its Azm-e-Istehkam framework.