34 terrorists killed in multiple K-P operations

RAWALPINDI:

Security forces have killed 34 "India-backed" terrorists during multiple operations across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during the last three days, the military's media wing said in a statement on Thursday.

"From October 13-15, 34 khawarij belonging to Indian-proxy Fitna al-Khawarij were killed in multiple engagements in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Fitna al-Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The security forces conducted intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in North Waziristan, South Waziristan and Bannu districts of the province, the statement added.

The ISPR said the first operation was carried out in Spinwam area of North Waziristan district. "During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khawarij's location, and after an intense fire exchange, eighteen khawarij were sent to hell."

According to the statement, another IBO was conducted in South Waziristan district, during which eight more terrorists were neutralised following an intense exchange of fire with the security forces.

"In [the] third encounter, [which] took place in Bannu district, own troops successfully neutralised eight more khawarij."

The ISPR added that sanitisation operations were being carried out in the said areas "to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji".

It further said that a "relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-i-Istehkam - as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan (NAP) - by security forces and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) of Pakistan, will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country."

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the armed forces and security agencies for successful operations in various areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, killing several Indian-backed Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists.

In separate statements, they said the security forces foiled the nefarious designs of the terrorists through their professional skills.

Reaffirming Pakistan's firm resolve to eliminate terrorism in all its forms, President Zardari stated that operations under the "Azm-e-Istehkam" campaign will continue with full force to their logical end as the security forces defeat terrorists and the nation defeats terrorism.

He emphasised that Pakistan will root out the India-backed fitna-e-khawarij and fitna-e-Hindustan and will not rest until the menace of terrorism is fully defeated.

The president further said that the entire nation stands firmly behind its Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies in their mission to safeguard the homeland and uphold peace.

"Successful operations against the terrorists in North and South Waziristan and Bannu are a matter of pride for the nation," the president said, noting that the timely actions of the security forces helped improving the law and order situation across the country.

The prime minister said the security forces eliminated 34 Indian-backed terrorists in Spinwam, South Waziristan and Bannu.

He said the government was committed to completely eliminate terrorism from the country.