Militant commander held, three others killed in N Waziristan IBOs

The security forces apprehended a high-profile terrorist commander and killed three others in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in different areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkwa’s North Waziristan district, the military said on Saturday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in the first operation, a “high-value” terrorist commander was apprehended in injured condition along with three other terrorists.

In the second operation, the security forces killed three terrorists and recovered weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from their possession.

“All the terrorists (killed and apprehended) were affiliated with Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group,” said the military’s media wing.

The militants remained actively involved in terrorist activities including attacks on security forces, extortion for ransom and killing of innocent citizens, it added.

Last week, the security forces killed six terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan's Datta Khel area, the military said in a statement.

Also read: Six terrorists killed in North Waziristan IBO

The ISPR had said the operation was conducted on the reported presence of terrorists. "Troops executed a successful operation and killed six terrorists. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists," it added.

It had said the killed terrorists remained actively involved in terror activities against security forces.

However, during an intense exchange of fire, Lance Naik Islamud Din – the 34-year-old resident of Khyber district – embraced martyrdom after fighting gallantly with the terrorists.