Security forces kill 7 terrorists in DI Khan

ISLAMABAD:

A Pakistan Army soldier embraced martyrdom while seven terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based counter-insurgency operation in Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district on Monday, the military’s media wing said, as security forces sustained pressure on terror networks operating in the province.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was carried out in the Kulachi area of DI Khan following reports of the presence of terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna al Khawarij.

“During the conduct of [the] operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, seven khwarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR statement said.

During the exchange of fire, Naik Yasir Khan, 34, a resident of Mardan, embraced martyrdom after “having fought gallantly [and] paid the ultimate sacrifice”, the military said. The statement added that weapons and ammunition were recovered from the killed terrorists, who were involved in terrorist activity in the area.

The ISPR said a sanitisation operation was underway to clear the locality of any remaining terrorists. “[A] sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji found in the area, as the relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the statement concluded.

President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday paid rich tribute to the security forces for a successful operation against Indian-backed Fitna al-Khawarij in Dera Ismail Khan, terming it a strong manifestation of the state’s resolve to enforce its writ and safeguard national security.

In a statement issued by the presidency, the president commended the forces for eliminating seven terrorists during the operation, describing the action as a clear reflection of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism.

He also paid homage to Naik Yasir Khan Shaheed, who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty, and said the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved family in their hour of grief.

In a separate statement from the PM’s Office, the premier praised the officers and personnel of the security forces for their professionalism and bravery during the successful operation in Kolachi area of Dera Ismail Khan.