13 terrorists killed in K-P IBOs

RAWALPINDI:

Security forces killed 13 terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in a series of five high-tempo intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release on Sunday.

According to the ISPR, the security forces carried out the IBOs against Fitna al-Khwarij — a term used for the TTP — as part of a relentless counter-terrorism campaign. The IBOs came amid Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, which is being carried out against the Afghan Taliban.

During an IBO in Bajaur district, the ISPR said, security forces effectively engaged a "Khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, five Khwarij were sent to hell". In two other encounters in Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan districts, three Khwarij were neutralised, it added.

"In two separate engagements in Khyber and South Waziristan districts, own troops effectively neutralised five more Khwarij. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the Indian-sponsored Khwarij who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area," it said.

Following the operations, the ISPR said sanitization operations were being conducted "to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored Kharji found" in the area. "The security forces of Pakistan remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation's frontiers."

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the security forces for their successful operations against Fitna al-Khwarij in the K-P. They said the security forces were achieving major successes against terrorists under a well-organised plan.

In a statement, the president praised the professionalism of the security forces for successfully carrying out the operations. He emphasised that these actions against Fitna al-Khwarij were crucial for maintaining peace across the country.

In a separate statement, PM Shehbaz also lauded the security forces for conducting the successful IBOs. He said the forces were achieving major successes against terrorists under a well-organised strategy.

The prime minister stated that the entire nation stood firmly behind Pakistan's armed forces in the ongoing fight against terrorism. "We will not rest until terrorism is completely eradicated from the country," he said.