23 terrorists were killed in Bajaur and Bannu, while 15 were eliminated in separate intelligence-based operations
Security forces have killed 38 terrorists linked to the India-backed ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’ in a series of intelligence-based operations conducted between November 15 and 17 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Tuesday.
The ISPR mentioned that 23 terrorists belonging to ‘Indian Proxy Fitna-al-Khawarij’ were killed in two separate opertions in the province between November 16 and 17. The state uses the term ‘Fitna-al-Khawarij’ for terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Acting on intelligence reports regarding the presence of terrorists, security forces carried out an operation in Bajaur district and killed 11 of them including their ringleader, Sajjad, also known as Abuzar, according to the ISPR.
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The military’s media wing said, a separate intelligence-based operation in Bannu district resulted in the killing of another 12 terrorists. The ISPR stated, the operations were part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the province.
Earlier in the day, the ISPR said in a statement that 15 terrorists were killed in two operations conducted on November 15 and 16.
In the first operation, carried out in the Kalachi area of Dera Ismail Khan district, security forces targeted a hideout and killed 10 terrorists, including their senior commander Alam Mehsud.
A second operation in Datta Khel, North Waziristan, resulted in the killing of five terrorists, while operations against outlaws continue.
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Sanitisation operations are under way to clear the areas of ‘India-sponsored’ operatives, the ISPR said, adding that the counterterrorism campaign under the ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ framework — approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan — would continue with full force.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have commended security forces for their successful operations against Fitna-al-Khawarij in Dera Ismail Khan and North Waziristan.
In a statement, the president said, the elimination of foreign-backed terrorists from Pakistan will continue with national consensus. He added that the killing of terrorists, including their group leaders, reflects the effectiveness of the security forces’ strategy.
PM Shehbaz said, the security forces are achieving significant victories in the fight against terrorism under the ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ strategy. He reaffirmed that the entire nation stands with the armed forces and reiterated Pakistan’s determination to eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country.
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Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also praised the professional capabilities of Pakistan’s security forces for eliminating India-sponsored terrorists in K-P.
In a statement, Naqvi said, he pays tribute to the security forces for eliminating terrorists. He said, the security forces have once again foiled the evil intentions of India-backed terrorist groups. He said the nation holds the security forces in high regard for their continued efforts to maintain peace and stability in K-P.
