22 terrorists killed in DI Khan IBO: ISPR

Security forces killed 22 Indian-backed terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces launched the operation on November 26 after receiving reports of the presence of Khawarij linked to an “Indian proxy, Fitna al Khawarij”.

“During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the Khawarij location and, after an intense exchange of fire, 22 Khawarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR said. The statement added that a sanitisation operation was under way to eliminate any remaining Indian-sponsored terrorists in the area.

It said Pakistan’s security forces and law-enforcement agencies would continue the counterterrorism campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” vision - approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan - at full pace to wipe out foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

President, PM Shehbaz lauds security forces

President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended security forces for their successful operation against terrorists in Dera Ismail Khan, praising their professionalism and resolve in countering terrorism.

In a statement, the prime minister lauded the troops for eliminating members of what he described as Fitna al Khawarij, the militant network behind recent attacks. “I pay tribute to the security forces for their successful action against these terrorists,” PM Shehbaz said.

President Zardari commended the troops involved in the intelligence-based action, noting that the armed forces had once again demonstrated their resolve to defeat militancy. “The failure and eradication of terrorists in every possible way is our foremost priority,” he said.

President said the sacrifices of Pakistan’s security institutions “for the protection and stability of the nation are commendable,” adding that the country’s peace and security depended on the commitment and professionalism of its forces. “The determination and professional performance of our security forces in maintaining law and order is exemplary,” he remarked.

Zardari urged the public to stand firmly behind the armed forces to ensure the complete elimination of terrorism. “The nation must cooperate with full energy with the security institutions so that the complete eradication of terrorism can be made possible,” he said.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also praised the security forces for successfully eliminating 22 terrorists in Dera Ismail Khan, commending their professionalism and resolve.

In a statement, the minister said the “brave soldiers have once again crushed the malicious designs of Fitna al Khawarij,” referring to the extremist network blamed for recent attacks. He said the terrorists would not be allowed to find refuge anywhere in the country.

Naqvi lauded the counterterrorism actions underway in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), describing them as essential for restoring peace in the province. “The operations of the security forces for peace in K-P are commendable,” he said.

The interior minister reiterated that operations would continue until the “complete elimination of enemies of peace.” He added that with national unity and public support, Pakistan would eradicate the “scourge of terrorism.”