23 terrorists neutralised in a series of K-P IBOs

Five servicemen also embrace martyrdom in one of the IBOs

RAWALPINDI:

Security forces have neutralized 23 terrorists in a series of targeted operations across various districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa over the past two days, resulting in the martyrdom of five servicemen, the military announced on Monday.

This statement followed the country's security chief's call for the Taliban regime in Afghanistan to arrest and prosecute the leaders of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Evidence suggests the TTP is using safe havens in Afghanistan to plan terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

The military's media wing provided a detailed breakdown of the intelligence-based operations (IBOs). On May 27, an IBO in the southern K-P district of Tank resulted in the elimination of 10 terrorists. On the same day, another operation in the Bagh area of the Khyber tribal district neutralized seven terrorists and injured two others. This operation led to a fierce firefight, during which five Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred.

Additionally, a significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was seized during these operations. The ISPR shared photos of the deceased terrorists and the recovered arms and ammunition with the media, highlighting the success of these efforts in combating terrorism.
 

The martyrs have been identified by the military’s media wing. Naik Muhammad Ashfaq Butt, 32, from district Kahuta, served in the Pakistan Army for 10 years. He leaves behind a wife, a daughter, and two sons.

Lance Naik Syed Danish Afkar, 30, was a resident of Poonch district of AJK. He served the armed forces of Pakistan for six years. Sepoy Taimoor Malik, 32, belonged to Layyah district of Punjab. He served in the military for 11 years. He leaves behind his grieving parents and siblings.

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The youngest of the martyrs, Sepoy Nadir Sageer, was 22. He was from Bagh district and served in the forces for two years. Sepoy Muhammad Yasin, 23, hailed from Khushab district of Punjab. He served in the Pakistan Army for one and a half year.

The funeral prayers of the martyrs were offered in Peshawar garrison which was attended by army chief General Syed Asim Munir and a large number of civil and military officials. Later, the army chief visited the military hospital to inquire about the troops injured during the operations.

He appreciated their high morale and reaffirmed the resolve of the nation to fight the terrorism with full vigor and spirit. The martyrs will be laid to rest with full military honour at their respective native towns.

On May 26, a captain and a soldier of Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom during an IBO in the Hassan Khel area of Peshawar in which six terrorists were also killed, the ISPR stated.

“Sanitisation operations are being carried out to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area,” it added. “[The] security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.