At least 45 terrorists were killed in counterterrorism operations in different tribal districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in which 19 servicemen were also martyred, the military confirmed on Saturday as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that the entire nation stands united against the menace of terrorism and foreign-sponsored proxies.
"From September 10-13, 35 Khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij were sent to hell in two separate engagements," the military's media wing, the ISPR, said in a statement. The government has officially designated the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates as "Fitna al Khwarij", who use their sanctuaries across the border in Afghanistan to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
Giving a breakdown, the ISPR stated that an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted by security forces in Bajaur district where troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and eliminated 22 terrorists after an intense fire exchange.
Another 13 khwarij were neutralised in South Waziristan district in a separate encounter, the statement added. "However, during intense fire exchange, 12 brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat." Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain terrorists.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, who visited Bannu on Saturday, also attended the funeral prayers for the martyred servicemen. The premier eulogised the martyred soldiers as "true heroes of the nation" and vowed that their sacrifices would not go in vain.
He also visited the CMH in Bannu to inquire about the health of servicemen injured during the operation. Praising their courage, high moral and dedication, he lauded their "selfless service to the nation."
Separately, security forces conducted another IBO in the Lal Qilla Maidan area of Lower Dir district. Troops effectively engaged the khwarij location, killing 10 Indian-sponsored terrorists, the ISPR stated. "However, during the intense fire exchange, seven brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat while saving precious lives of innocent civilians, who were made hostage by Indian-sponsored Khawrij," it added.
The martyred servicemen have been identified as Naik Abdul Jalil, 39, of North Waziristan; Naik Gul Jan, 38, of Lakki Marwat; Lance Naik Azmat Ullah, 28, of Lakki Marwat; Sepoy Abdul Malik, 28, of Khyber; Sepoy Muhammad Amjad, 27, of Malakand; Sepoy Muhammad Dawood, 23, of Swabi; and Sepoy Fazal Qayum, 21, of Dera Ismail Khan.
Sanitisation operations are underway in the area. "The security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve," the ISPR added.
The military said intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed physical involvement of Afghan nationals in these heinous acts. Moreover, the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan by Fitna al Khawarij terrorists continues to remain a grave point of concern. Pakistan expects the Interim Afghan government to uphold its responsibilities and deny use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
The prime minister said that Pakistan desired peaceful relations with all neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan. However, he urged Kabul to make a clear choice between maintaining good ties with Islamabad or continuing to harbour terrorists.
"The banned TTP and Fitna al Khwarij are responsible for attacks on innocent civilians and our security forces. Such hostile forces will not be allowed to sabotage peace in Pakistan," he added.
He also announced that an important meeting of the federal cabinet would soon be convened on terrorism. "The enemies of Pakistan cannot impose their destructive ideology on our nation. We will defeat them together with full might," he said.
Earlier upon his arrival at Bannu Cantt, the prime minister was received by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the Peshawar corps commander. He was given a detailed briefing on the region's security landscape, including threats posed by Indian-backed proxies and their facilitators operating across the western border.
Meanwhile, experts have noted with alarm that terrorist activity has flourished in Afghanistan post-US forces' withdrawal. A Sept 12 article in The Jerusalem Post states that al Qaeda has resurged in Afghanistan under the Taliban protection, posing a renewed threat to the US and global security. The group has rebuilt networks, reportedly led by Hamza bin Laden and Saif al Adel, with training camps spread across Afghan provinces and ties to Taliban factions.
Experts have further stated that al Qaeda, the TTP & ISKP along with the Afghan Taliban are strengthening their terror nexus, directly endangering the security of Pakistan and other regional countries together with the United States.
They have warned that the TTP is transforming into an international terror outfit threatening global peace and transnational security. And the TTP's expansion across the region is being fueled by al Qaeda and the Taliban cooperation. They said that the terror nexus poses daily threat to Pakistan's stability and national security.
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