Seven terrorists killed in two IBOs in North Waziristan: ISPR

Security forces killed seven terrorists linked to the India-backed ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’ in two separate engagements in North Waziristan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), an intelligence-based operation was carried out in the Mir Ali area on December 1 after reports of the presence of Khawarij.

“During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the Khawarij location and, after an intense exchange of fire, six Khawarij were sent to hell,” the statement said.

A second intelligence-based operation was conducted in the Spinwam area, where “one more Khawarji was effectively neutralised by the security forces,” ISPR added.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the killed terrorists, who had been involved in multiple attacks on security forces, law enforcement agencies and in target killings of civilians. The ISPR said sanitisation operations were under way to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists present in the area.

It added that the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” vision — approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan — would continue at full pace to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from Pakistan.

PM Shehbaz, Naqvi lauds security forces

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for two successful counterterrorism operations in North Waziristan. In a statement, he commended the troops for “eliminating seven terrorists” in the separate intelligence-based operations.

He said the security forces were achieving “major successes” against terrorism under the national counterterrorism vision Azm-e-Istehkam. “The security forces are making significant gains against the enemies of peace,” he said. “The entire nation stands firmly with Pakistan’s armed forces in this fight against terrorism.”

Shehbaz said the government remained determined to eradicate militancy from the country. “We are committed to the complete elimination of all forms of terrorism from Pakistan,” he added.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also praised the security forces for successful operations in North Waziristan. In his statement, he commended the troops for their “professional excellence” and said the terrorists’ “malicious designs had been crushed”. “I salute the security forces for sending seven terrorists to hell,” the minister said. “We take pride in the bravery and professionalism of our security personnel.”

Naqvi added that the security forces had achieved “remarkable successes” in the fight against terrorism and remained fully committed to restoring lasting peace. “Our forces are determined to ensure peace,” he said, adding that the government would continue to support counterterrorism operations across the country.