RAWALPINDI:
Security forces across Pakistan carried out multiple counterterrorism operations this week, killing at least 23 terrorists in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan, while seven soldiers were martyred in a terrorist attack in Lower Dir, officials confirmed.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 19 terrorists from the Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khawarij were killed in three separate engagements in K-P between September 9 and 10. It said that 14 were killed in Mohmand, four in North Waziristan and one in Bannu.
“On 9-10 September, nineteen Khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij were sent to hell in three separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province,” the ISPR, the military’s media wing, said in a press release.
“An intelligence based operation [IBO] was conducted by the Security Forces in general area Guluno, Mohmand District. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location, and after an intense fire exchange, fourteen Indian sponsored khwarij were sent to hell.”
Another IBO, according to the ISPR, was conducted in general area Datta Khel in North Waziristan district and “in ensuing fire exchange, four more Khwarij were neutralized” by the security forces. In an encounter in Bannu, “one more Khwarij was neutralized”, it added.
“Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from Indian sponsored killed Khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in these areas. Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other kharji found in the area,” the ISPR added. It said the security forces were determined to wipe out the menace of Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country.
Elsewhere in K-P, according to official sources, seven security personnel were martyred and 13 others sustained injuries on Thursday after terrorists launched an attack on the security personnel in the Sar Banda area of Lower Dir district.
The exchange of fire occurred in the limits of the Lal Qila Police Station. Though the banned TTP claimed responsibility for the attack, but it could not be independently verified. After the incident, heavy contingents of police, Elite Force, and Dir Scouts have been deployed in the area.
As the security forces continued operations in the area, the Lower Dir administration has imposed a ban on the use of drones, quadcopters, and balloons. Separately, police said they repelled a terrorist attack on the Lajbok police post late at night. No casualties were reported in attack.
Meanwhile, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Balochistan killed four terrorists during an IBO in the Pishin district. According CTD spokesperson the IBO was launched following a tip-off about the presence of terrorists in the area.
“During the encounter, four terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire,” the spokesperson said. Officials said the terrorists were plotting attacks in the region, but the timely action by the CTD foiled their plans. Explosives and weapons were also recovered from terrorists, they added.
President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have commended the successful counter-terrorism operations by the security forces in K-P. In their separate statements, they praised the courage and professionalism of Pakistan’s brave soldiers.
The president emphasised that such operations demonstrated Pakistan’s unshakeable resolve to confront and defeat Indian-sponsored terrorism. He reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue its determined efforts until the last terrorist and their facilitators were brought to justice.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the war against terrorism would continue until this scourge was completely eradicated from the country. He said the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces personnel, who were tirelessly engaged to foil the nefarious designs of the Khawarij.
In a statement issued in Quetta, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti praised the bravery of the CTD team, saying that the timely action had averted a potential tragedy. The chief minister reaffirmed his government’s resolve to root out terrorism and extremism from the province.
“The curse of terrorism has no place in our society. We will continue our struggle until complete peace and stability are ensured,” Bugti stated, adding that the provincial government stood firmly with the security forces in their mission to safeguard the people of Balochistan.
(WITH INPUT FROM OUR LOWER DIR CORRESPONDENT AMJAD ALI SHAH AND QUETTA CORRESPONDENT SYED ALI SHAH)
