At least 16 terrorists belonging to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in separate operations by the police, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and the security forces in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Monday.
The Punjab police said that at least 10 terrorists were killed and several others injured in a joint police-CTD operation in the Makarwal area of the Mianwali district. Hours later, the military said, that six terrorists were killed in two Intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the Waziristan region of K-P.
According to the Mianwali police, a joint operation was initiated two days ago on the reported presence of 20 to 30 terrorists in the hilly area of Mullakhel, adjacent to the Karak district, in the jurisdiction of the Makarwal police station.
They said that the police, CTD and Rangers contingents, led by Mianwali District Police Officer (DPO) Akhtar Farooq and joined by the Sargodha Range Police Officer (RPO) Shahzad Asif Khan, surrounded the terrorists and engaged them in intermittent fire exchanges.
As a result, according to a statement issued by the Punjab Police spokesperson, more than 10 terrorists were killed, adding that there were reports of injuries to more terrorists. The source said that further police action against the terrorists was under way.
During these fire exchanges, the Punjab Police spokesperson said, a local man was injured in the leg and was shifted to a local hospital. It added that all the officers and personnel of the police and the CTD remained unharmed.
Security in Mianwali and surrounding areas has been enhanced following the operation. Officials confirmed that the operation would continue to ensure complete elimination of terrorist networks operating in the region.
Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar lauded the Mianwali police on their "brilliant success" against the terrorists. "The Punjab police are on alert the nefarious plans of the terrorists will be crushed," the Punjab police chief said.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also paid tribute to Punjab Police and the CTD for eliminating 10 terrorists in Makarwal and sent her best wishes for them. "The brave sons of Punjab Police are our pride," she said.
In a statement issued from Islamabad, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi lauded the Punjab Police and the CTD for their successful operation against terrorists, terming it a "significant success" in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
The minister paid glowing tribute to the brave police and CTD personnel who, in a high-stakes operation, eliminated more than 10 Khawarij terrorists. He said that the operation was not just a tactical success but a powerful message to all anti-state elements, plotting against the country's peace and security.
"By sending more than 10 Khawarij terrorists to hell, the Punjab Police and CTD have demonstrated exceptional resolve and professionalism," Naqvi remarked. He added that such victories were crucial to ensuring lasting peace in the country and safeguarding the lives of innocent citizens.
Reiterating the government's unwavering stance against terrorism, Interior Minister Naqvi assured that all necessary resources would be provided to law-enforcement perosnnel to root out terrorism from the country.
Waziristan IBOs
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), five Khwarij terrorists were killed in an IBO in general area of Razmak in the North Waziristan district, while a terrorist ring leader Zabi Ullah was neutralised in another IBO in the South Waziristan district.
"On reported presence of Khwarij, an intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces in general area Razmak, North Waziristan District. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location, resultantly, five khwarij were sent to hell," the ISPR said.
"In South Waziristan District, own troops effectively neutralized kharji ring leader Zabi Ullah @Zakran, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces as well as in target killing of innocent civilians and was highly wanted by the Law Enforcement Agencies," it added.
The ISPR said that sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji found in those areas, adding that the security forces of Pakistan were determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country.
President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to security forces for successful operations against Khwarij in North and South Waziristan. In their separate statements, they applauded the bravery of troops for killing the Khwarij.
They reiterated the government's commitment to root out terrorism form the country. The president and the prime minister said the entire nation stood united alongside the security forces against the menace of terrorism.
(WITH INPUT FROM OUR RAWALPINDI CORRESPONDENT)
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