Overview
- ISPR said four militants were killed in Dera Ismail Khan and five in Bannu on December 19 during intelligence-based operations.
- Weapons and ammunition were recovered, and the military labeled the group as the Indian-sponsored proxy Fitna al-Khawarij, a term some outlets report the state uses for TTP-linked militants.
- The military reported ongoing sanitisation operations in the affected areas to clear any remaining fighters.
- President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly praised the security forces following the operations.
- Separately, a Tirah Valley jirga agreement set January 10 as the start of displacement, outlined cash assistance and compensation, and planned phased returns after April 5.