Ringleaders among 30 terrorists killed in K-P operations

President, PM laud security forces' successes

RAWALPINDI:

At least 30 terrorists have been eliminated in three separate military engagements in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa—a province where security situation remains volatile due to its proximity with Afghanistan where terrorists appear to have free rein to orchestrate attacks inside Pakistan.

"On 24-25 January 2025, thirty khwarij were killed in three separate engagements in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province," the military's media wing, the ISPR, said in a statement on Saturday night.

The military uses the term "khwarij" for terrorists from the outlawed umbrella of violent groups which have found safe havens in Afghanistan following their rout from the erstwhile tribal belt in the 2014 military operation codenamed Zarb-e-Azb.

Sharing details of the military engagements, the ISPR stated that an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted by security forces in Lakki Marwat district.

"During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged a khwarij location and resultantly, 18 khwarij were sent to hell, while six khwarij got injured," it added.

Another IBO was conducted by security forces in the neighbouring Karak district. "In the ensuing fire exchange, eight khwarij were effectively neutralised by the security forces," the ISPR statement added.

Meanwhile, a third military engagement took place in the Bagh area of Khyber district, where security forces "successfully neutralised four khwarij, including kharji ringleaders Azizur Rehman, aka Qari Ismail, and kharji Mukhlis, while two khwarij got injured."

According to the ISPR, weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the dead terrorists, who were actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area against security forces as well as innocent civilians.

"Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other kharji found in the area," the military's media wing said while reiterating the security forces' resolve to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country.

The IBOs came two days after security forces neutralised six terrorists in Zhob district of Balochistan thwarting their attempt to sneak into Pakistan from Afghanistan. "On the night between January 22 and 23, the movement of a group of khwarij, who were trying to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was picked up by the security forces in the Sambaza area of Zhob," the ISPR said on Thursday.

"Own troops effectively engaged and thwarted their attempt to infiltrate. Resultantly, six khwarij were sent to hell. A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered," it added.

Pakistan has been consistently asking the interim government in Afghanistan to ensure effective border management on their side of the border. "The Afghan interim government is expected to fulfill its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by khwarij for perpetuating acts of terrorism against Pakistan," the ISPR said.

President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for their bravery in eliminating terrorists in the successful operations in Lakki Marwat, Karak, and Khyber districts.

"The killing of 30 terrorists in various operations is a significant achievement for the security forces," said the president in a statement issued by his office. President Zardari assured that the security operations will continue until the eradication of terrorists. He reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to the elimination of terrorist elements.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the security forces for successful operations against terrorists of Fitna al-Khawarij in districts of Lakki Marwat, Karak and Khyber.

He appreciated the security forces for eliminating 30 Khawarij terrorists during the operations. He said the whole nation stood with the security forces in the war against terrorism. He said the government was determined to eliminate all forms of terrorism from the country.