Pakistan's security forces killed 18 militants in operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan on 7 October. Security sources reported the operations.

In North Waziristan and nearby areas of KP, 13 militants of Fitna al-Khawarij were killed.

The operations were carried out under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision.

In Mastung, Balochistan, five militants of Fitna al-Hindustan were killed.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered. Clearance operations followed the raids.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the forces.

Pakistani sources described the militants as India-backed. India has not commented on the claim. The allegation remains contested.

Pakistan recorded 225 militant attacks in September, according to PICSS data.

It was the highest monthly total in 12 years. The figure was up 13 percent from 199 in August.

Islamabad again urged Kabul to stop its territory from being used by militant groups. Kabul disputes the allegations.

Security officials said the operations were based on intelligence reports. They added that the areas were cleared after the raids.

The recovered weapons included rifles and ammunition, sources said.