32 terrorists eliminated in latest purge as violence surges

RAWALPINDI:

Security forces killed 32 terrorists, including 24 in Khyber district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and eight in Balochistan's Nushki district, during two separate intelligence-based operations, the military's media wing said on Wednesday.

The intelligence-based operations have been launched in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the area.

Earlier, security forces launched Operation Shaban after terrorists attacked the Mangi Dam Police Station. A district and sessions judge and his security guard were also killed after unidentified armed men opened fire on their vehicle on the national highway in Mastung, while an additional sessions judge and another person sustained serious injuries.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were conducted "in continuation of security forces operations against the terrorist nexus of Indian sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan," as part of a broader counterterrorism campaign.

Fitna al-Hindustan is the term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army and other groups in Balochistan. Whereas Fitna al-Khawarij is the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The ISPR said "comprehensive joint operations are being carried out in different parts of K-P and Balochistan to weed out terrorists and their facilitators," adding that security forces had "successfully eliminated 32 terrorists" during the last 24 hours.

The military said that on the night of July 28–29, multiple intelligence-based area sanitisation and targeted operations were carried out in Khyber district, where security forces "effectively engaged different terrorist locations", killing 24 terrorists whom it identified as belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij.

In a separate operation in Nushki district of Balochistan, security forces conducted multiple intelligence-based operations in which, after "an intense engagement," eight terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan were killed, according to the ISPR.

The military said weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices used by the terrorists were "recovered and destroyed during operations."

The ISPR added that sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area. It further said the "relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision 'Azm-e-Istehkam'", approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, "will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country."

President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces and law enforcement agencies for the successful intelligence-based operations, praising their "professional capabilities" in killing 32 terrorists.

The president said Pakistan would "foil the nefarious designs of India-backed terrorist elements at all costs," adding that "the nation stands with its brave armed forces."

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also commended the security forces for their successful operations. "We will continue the fight against terrorism until this menace is eliminated from the country," the prime minister said.

He added that security forces were "effectively carrying out operations against terrorists seeking to undermine the peace of our beloved homeland."

"The entire nation, including myself, stands shoulder to shoulder with the Armed Forces of Pakistan in our unwavering resolve to protect the homeland," the prime minister said.

 

Hangu and Swat

Four police personnel, including a DSP, two ASI and constable, were martyred while three terrorists were killed after the Khazeena Banda police check post in K-P's Hangu district came under attack, police officials said.

According to police, the terrorists launched an assault on the check post, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire between the attackers and security personnel.

Police spokesperson Saqib said the vehicle of Hangu DPO Tariq Habib also came under fire during the operation. The vehicle sustained damage, but the DPO escaped unhurt.

The spokesperson said the bodies of the four police personnel were recovered.

Meanwhile in Swat, one police official and four members of the Village Defence Committee (VDC) were martyred, while six terrorists were killed, as a joint search-and-strike operation conducted by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police against terrorists linked to the banned Fitna al-Khawarij concluded in the upper areas of Swat, according to security officials.

Authorities said intense clashes erupted during the operation in the Shalkho Sar area, where police and security forces targeted terrorist hideouts. Several terrorists were also injured during the exchange of fire and were reportedly evacuated by their accomplices.

Among those martyred were Elite Force Constable Gulfam Khan and four members of the VDC Umar Hayat, son of Muhammad Sher; Gul Zeb, son of Aqal Mand; Muhammad Karim, son of Syed Ajan; and Akhtar Zeb.

All four VDC members belonged to Shaland Danda area in the jurisdiction of Shah Dheri Police Station, Swat. Officials noted that Muhammad Karim had previously served as a VDC member and had played an active role in maintaining peace in the area.

The bodies of the fallen personnel were shifted to a local hospital before being handed over to their families for burial after the completion of legal formalities.

The funeral prayers for Constable Gulfam Khan were offered with full state honours at Police Lines Swat, which were attended by Malakand Commissioner Masood Ahmad, Malakand Regional Police Officer (RPO) Syed Fida Hassan Shah, Commander 6 Brigade Brigadier Amir Jamal, District Police Officer (DPO) Swat Muhammad Umar Khan, senior police and army officers, and members of civil society.

A police contingent presented a ceremonial salute to the fallen officer, while senior officials paid tribute to his courage, dedication and sacrifice in the line of duty.

The RPO Malakand described police martyrs as "the nation's true heroes", saying their sacrifices for peace and security would never be forgotten and would remain a proud chapter in the country's history.

Following the funeral, Gulfam Khan's body was transported to his native village in Kohat, where he was laid to rest.

Gulfam Khan embraced martyrdom while fighting on the front line during the operation against terrorists in the jurisdiction of Shah Dheri Police Station on Tuesday night.

Security authorities said surveillance and clearance operations continue in the area to ensure the complete restoration of peace and prevent any resurgence of militant activity. They reiterated their commitment to eliminating terrorist threats and safeguarding the region.

(With input from our correspondents)