Forces foil attack on Mir Ali post

Security forces foiled an attempted suicide attack and killed six Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists in North Waziristan, while 14 more were gunned down during intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Datta Khel and Lakki Marwat, officials said on Friday.

According to officials, a terrorist rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the wall of a security forces camp in North Waziristan's Mir Ali area, causing a powerful explosion.

After the blast, five more terrorists tried to enter the camp. However, security forces swiftly responded and neutralized them outside the camp.

During the operation, the collapse of a roof at the camp resulted in one security personnel being martyred and six others getting wounded. The injured were immediately transferred to the nearest military hospital for treatment.

The security forces also carried out two separate operations in North Waziristan and Lakki Marwat districts, killing a total of 14 militants. The operation at the Tang Kili area of Datta Khel in North Waziristan was conducted on the basis of information regarding militant movements in the outskirts.

After continuous surveillance of the area for 8 to 10 days, forces encircled the terrorists on October 16. In the ensuing exchange of fire, six terrorists were killed and three were wounded. Among those killed was a TTP commander Mehbub alias Muhammad.

Security forces also carried out an operation in the Sultan Khel area of Lakki Marwat on October 16, killing eight highly wanted terrorists. According to security officials, the operation targeted secret hideouts after aerial and ground surveillance.

Forces moved in immediately once terrorist movements were detected. Large quantities of weapons, ammunition and communication devices were recovered during the operations.

Official sources said that in the past four days, 102 militants who entered Pakistan "under the patronage of the Afghan Taliban" have been killed. They emphasized that, under the National Action Plan (NAP), impartial, effective and continuous operations against terrorists are ongoing.

The people and security forces are determined to uproot the scourge of terrorism from the country, and these operations will continue until the last militant is eliminated, they added.