Islamabad: Security forces killed five terrorists belonging to the Indian-backed group Fitna al-Khawarij during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the military's media wing said on Sunday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was conducted on March 15 after reports regarding the presence of terrorists in the area. During the operation, troops effectively engaged the militants' hideout and after an intense exchange of fire, five terrorists were neutralised.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed militants, who were reportedly involved in several terrorist activities in the region.

The ISPR added that a sanitisation operation is underway to eliminate any remaining Indian-sponsored terrorists in the area under the counter-terrorism campaign 'Azm-e-Istehkam.'

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for the successful operation. The prime minister praised the professionalism and bravery of the forces, stating that the entire nation stands with Pakistan's armed forces in the fight against terrorism.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also lauded the security forces, warning that terrorists and their facilitators would not be spared.