49 terrorists killed in Balochistan, K-P IBOs

Military says campaign aims at eliminating foreign proxy network

RAWALPINDI:

Security forces, in coordination with police, killed 49 terrorists in a series of "high-tempo" intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan over the past few days, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.

According to the military's media wing, the operations were conducted as part of an ongoing counterterrorism campaign aimed at eliminating Indian proxies, Fitna Al Khwarij and Fitna Al Hindustan networks and preventing attempts to undermine peace and stability in the country.

In K-P, 12 terrorists were killed during multiple operations in Bannu, North Waziristan, Orakzai and Khyber districts, the ISPR said. A substantial cache of explosives, improvised explosive device (IED) detonators, weapons, ammunition and motorcycles was also recovered and destroyed during the operations, it added.

In Balochistan, 37 terrorists backed by Fitna Al Hindustan were killed in 10 intelligence-based operations conducted in Mastung, Mach, Khuzdar and Panjgur districts, according to the statement. The operations also resulted in the seizure and destruction of "significant quantity" of weapons, explosive drums and remote-detonation equipment.

"Security Forces of Pakistan remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation's frontiers," the statement issued by ISPR said. It further noted that sanitisation operations were continuing across the provinces to locate and eliminate any remaining terrorists.

"Sanitization operation are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored Kharji/ terrorist found in the area as relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision Azm e Istehkam (as approved by 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.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari appreciated the IBOs undertaken by the security forces and police, which resulted in the death of 49 terrorists in K-P and Balochistan.

President Zardari said the operations would continue with full force until terrorism was totally eliminated from the country, a statement issued by the president's office said.

"Terrorist elements operating with foreign backing would never succeed in undermining peace and stability in Pakistan," the head of the state stated.

He expressed confidence that the people of the two provinces marred by terrorism would "soon be free of terrorism" and be able to achieve peace, national development and prosperity.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for their successful operations that killed 49 terrorists in K-P and Balochistan, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Friday.

He said the security forces and police conducted joint operations in the two provinces and killed a total of 49 terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan.

The prime minister praised the security forces and police for their "professional expertise" in conducting the operations.

Reiterating the government's resolve, the premier said the administration was determined to completely eliminate terrorism from the country.