Eleven Indian-backed militants killed in K-P operations, ISPR says

Security forces say six militants were killed in North Waziristan and five in Kurram during IBOs

At least 11 khwarij belonging to what the military described as Indian proxy Fitna Al Khwarij – a reference to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on January 8, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

In a statement, the ISPR said an intelligence-based operation was carried out by security forces in North Waziristan district after reports of the presence of khwarij in the area. During the operation, six militants were killed.

In a separate joint intelligence-based operation in Kurram district, conducted by police and security forces, five more khwarij were killed, the statement said.

The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants, who were “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the Security Forces, Law Enforcement agencies, and the target killing of innocent civilians”.

It added that sanitisation operations were under way to eliminate any other kharji present in the area. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed Indian-sponsored khwarij, who, according to the statement, remained involved in terrorist activities and targeted killings.

Read: DG ISPR blames K-P's political environment for terror spike

The military said the sanitisation operations are part of a “relentless Counter Terrorism campaign” under the vision of “Azm e Istehkam”, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. The campaign will continue “at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the statement said.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have commended security forces for successful operations against Fitna al-Khawarij in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

In their separate messages, they reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment against terrorism.  

President Asif Ali Zardari said the role of security forces and law enforcement agencies in protecting the lives and property of the people is commendable.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the armed forces and the police are engaged day and night in the fight against anti-state elements. He said the enemy cannot dare to cast an evil eye on Pakistan in the presence of our brave and resolute officers and soldiers.

The prime minister said the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in their unwavering resolve to protect the homeland.

Earlier this week, ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that 80 per cent of all terrorist incidents in Pakistan have occurred in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, the chief military spokesperson attributed the trend to what he described as a “politically permissive environment” for militants and an emerging “nexus between political and militant elements” in the province.

He said the prevailing environment had enabled extremist groups to organise, build facilitation networks and repeatedly challenge the writ of the state, with implications for the country’s overall security situation.