27 terrorists killed in North Waziristan operations
Security forces killed 27 terrorists during a series of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the general area of Miran Shah, North Waziristan district, the military's media wing said on Sunday.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were conducted as part of ongoing efforts against terrorists. During the engagements, security forces targeted multiple terrorist locations.
"Following intense and fierce exchanges of fire over the last seventy-two hours, twenty-seven khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khwarij have been sent to hell," the statement said. Fitna al-Khwarij is the term used to refer to outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its splinter groups.
The ISPR stated that forces also recovered weapons and ammunition from the terrorists, who were reportedly involved in numerous terrorist activities, including the targeted killing of innocent civilians.
The military said the operation also avenged the killing of a prominent local figure, Malik Saifullah Dawar, who was martyred in Miran Shah.
"By neutralising this group of khwarij, the heinous act of target killing of Shaheed Malik Saifullah Dawar has been avenged and the perpetrators have been brought to justice," it added.
Security forces have launched sanitisation operations in the area to eliminate any remaining militants.
The ISPR reiterated that the counterterrorism campaign is being carried out under the vision of "Azm-e-Istehkam," as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan.
"Operations will continue with full momentum to eradicate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country," the ISPR added.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the successful operations carried out by security forces in North Waziristan and paid tribute to them for killing 27 terrorists during the past 72 hours.
The president appreciated the professional capabilities of the security forces for eliminating the terrorists.
"Successful operation against the killers of Shaheed Malik Saifullah Dawar is a significant step forward in the ongoing national struggle against terrorism," he said in a statement, adding, "The nation stands by its brave security forces and is determined to completely eradicate terrorism from the country".
In a separate statement, the premier said the entire nation was proud of its brave security personnel. He vowed that the nefarious designs of Fitna al-Khawarij and their handlers would be thwarted at all costs.
Expressing satisfaction over the elimination of those involved in the killing of Malik Saifullah Dawar, the prime minister said operations by security forces and law-enforcement agencies would continue until terrorism was completely eradicated.