24 terrorists killed in Bannu intelligence-based operations: ISPR

Says weapons were recovered from terrorists, were actively involved in numerous terrorist activities

Security forces killed 24 terrorists in a series of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's (K-P) Bannu district and adjoining areas over the past 24 hours, following a recent spike in attacks on police and vehicle-borne suicide bombing in the district, the military's media wing said on Friday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were launched "in the backdrop of a recent surge in terrorist activities against Police and vehicle-borne suicide bombing in Bannu District, in which Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khawarij targeted law enforcement agencies and innocent civilians".

Fitna al-Khawarij is the term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

"Security forces had initiated extensive joint intelligence-based operations to hunt the perpetrators of these heinous attacks and their support infrastructure," it added.

The military's media wing said, "In the last twenty-four hours following the fierce fire exchanges in Bannu district and adjoining areas, twenty-four khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed".

Read: Two cops martyred in twin K-P attacks

The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed Khwarij, who "remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities and the killing of innocent civilians".

"The operations in the area will continue and perpetrators of these heinous and cowardly acts will be brought to justice, as the relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under the vision “Azm-e-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.

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces and law enforcement agencies. 

"The timely and effective operations by the security forces against those responsible for the recent terrorist attacks, particularly the cowardly attacks targeting police personnel and innocent civilians in Bannu, are commendable," the prime minister said. He added that "the entire nation stands with its brave security personnel."

Reaffirming the government's commitment to counterterrorism, PM Shehbaz said, "The complete elimination of the scourge of terrorism and its facilitators remains the government's top priority."

He also vowed action against those behind the attacks, saying, "The nefarious designs of terrorist elements operating under Indian patronage will be foiled at all costs, and all those involved in such cowardly attacks will be brought to justice."

The latest operations come after coordinated terrorist attacks in K-P on Wednesday. In Bannu, terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the Miryan police station before engaging security personnel in a prolonged gun battle, injuring six police officers and four civilians. Police said the attackers also blew up a damaged bridge leading to the station in an apparent attempt to delay reinforcements.

Terrorism has significantly increased in K-P and Balochistan in the past few years. The rise in terrorist activity has led to growing concerns over the security situation in these regions. In response, security forces have been conducting intensive operations to counter the threat, targeting terrorist groups infiltrating from the Afghan border.

The federal government has been consistently raising its voice on international forums against terrorist sanctuaries operating in Afghanistan and using its soil to launch attacks on Pakistan — a development attested to by the United Nations Security Council.

Read More: Five TTP terrorists killed in Bannu

The recent incidents in K-P reflect the continued security challenges faced by the region.

On Monday, two police officers were killed and two others injured when a suspected remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED) struck a police armoured personnel carrier during a routine patrol on the Wana-Jandola Road in K-P's Tank district.

On July 3, unidentified attackers carried out two separate acts of sabotage in Bannu district, targeting a government girls’ middle school and a key link bridge.

Explosives planted inside the Government Girls Middle School in Mama Khel damaged parts of the building, cracking classroom walls and shattering windows and doors.

In a separate incident in the Bachki area of Jani Khel, terrorists planted a drum filled with explosives beneath an important bridge, apparently attempting to disrupt transport links. Security forces and the Bomb Disposal Unit defused the device before it could cause damage.

On June 20, at least seven people were killed when a passenger vehicle was targeted in an IED attack in the region.