Eight terrorists eliminated in North Waziristan

Security forces on Monday killed eight terrorists, including some Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commanders, during an operation in Datta Khel tehsil of North Waziristan district. The operation was ongoing till the filing of this report, with security sources claiming that more than two dozen terrorists were still holed up in the area and using villagers as human shields.

Once again, Datta Khel echoed with the sound of gunfire and explosions, as the local population remained confined to their houses and faced shortages of food and other necessities.

Security sources said that 30–35 terrorists were still hiding in different locations and were using women, children, and the elderly as human shields to avoid air or drone strikes.

They added that the terrorists killed on Monday belonged to the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Badri Group and Jaish-e-Mehdi Caravan. Among them were Hameedullah alias Gud, an explosives expert; Noor Muhammad Afghan, known for planting explosives through drones and quadcopters; and Umar, a TTP member since 2009.

According to local sources, the operation in the hilly areas of Khursin and Doga Machha has made life unbearable for residents.

In a nearby mud house, an elderly woman, Fatima Bibi, said they never wanted the situation in their village to deteriorate to the point where they would once again have to abandon the homes of their forefathers and face displacement. "We don't know where to go," she added.

A local schoolteacher said educational activities had been suspended for three days and children were unable to leave their homes. "On one side are explosions, and on the other is the operation. We are caught in the middle and being crushed."