Forces strike hard at border infiltrators

21 terrorists killed in latest K-P operations Fresh infiltration bids foiled in N Waziristan President, PM laud

RAWALPINDI:

Security forces have stepped up counter-terrorism operations amid renewed attempts by terrorists to infiltrate Pakistan from Afghanistan, killing 21 terrorists in multiple engagements across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa over the past three days after 15 were eliminated in a major border clash earlier this month.

The latest operations point to a stepped-up campaign by security forces against cross-border infiltration and foreign-sponsored terrorism, with the military leadership reaffirming that the fight would continue with full resolve.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 21 terrorists belonging to the Indian-sponsored Fitna Al Khwarij - the term used by the state for the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) - were killed in multiple engagements across K-P between Sept 3 and 5.

Ten of those killed had remained holed up along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in North Waziristan after an earlier infiltration attempt had been thwarted by security forces.

The ISPR said that following a successful engagement by troops on the night of Aug 31 and Sept 1 along the border in North Waziristan, 10 more terrorists hiding in the area were killed. This took to 25 the number of terrorists attempting to infiltrate Pakistan in that episode who had been effectively neutralised by security forces.

The initial phase of the operation had resulted in the killing of 15 terrorists after security forces detected the movement of a group attempting to cross into Pakistan. The engagement continued for 36 hours, while a follow-up sanitisation operation led to the recovery of a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition.

In another engagement in North Waziristan, the ISPR said on Sunday security forces detected the movement of a separate group along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and effectively engaged it. Seven terrorists were killed in a precise and skilful engagement.

Four more terrorists were killed in two separate encounters in Kohat and Dera Ismail Khan districts during joint operations, the military's media wing said.

The repeated infiltration attempts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the ISPR said, had once again vindicated Pakistan's persistent stance regarding the failure of the Afghan Taliban regime to prevent the use of Afghan soil by terrorist organisations for cross-border terrorism.

It said the Afghan Taliban regime had consistently failed to ensure effective border management and honour its international counter-terrorism obligations.

Sanitisation operations were being conducted in the affected areas to eliminate any other terrorists, while security forces remained "resolute and unwavering" in their commitment to defend the country's frontiers.

The latest operations in K-P came as security forces also maintained an intensified counter-terrorism campaign in Balochistan, where 48 terrorists were killed in intelligence-based operations last week.

The ISPR had said on September 4 that the Balochistan operations were conducted in Mastung, Quetta, Kalat and Sibi against the Indian-sponsored terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij. Earlier, on Sept 2, security forces had also killed 12 terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in Kalat.

The intensified operations in Balochistan were followed by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir's visit to Quetta Garrison on Saturday, where he reviewed the security situation and operational preparedness with commanders and commanding officers of field formations.

Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed that the peace, prosperity and well-being of the people of Balochistan remained central to the state's efforts, stressing that a stable and secure environment would facilitate development initiatives, economic opportunities and improved prospects for the people of the province.

During the visit, he was briefed on security conditions, operational preparedness and measures being taken to maintain peace and stability across Balochistan. Matters concerning institutional coordination and support for socio-economic development were also reviewed.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in their separate statements on Sunday praised the security forces for thwarting infiltration attempts and eliminating terrorists in K-P.

President Zardari appreciated the professional capabilities of the security forces and their effective and timely action against terrorists, reiterating the resolve to foil the designs of foreign-backed terrorist elements at all costs.

He said defending Pakistan's borders and completely eliminating terrorism were foremost priorities, while urging the Afghan interim government once again to prevent its territory from being used for terrorism against Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for their successful intelligence-based and counter-terrorism operations, saying the entire nation was proud of the professional capabilities of the armed forces and law-enforcement agencies.

He said the nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in the ongoing fight against terrorism and reaffirmed that operations under the government's Azm-e-Istehkam vision would continue with full resolve.

Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani also commended the security forces, saying the successful thwarting of infiltration attempts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border reflected their vigilance and high preparedness.

The latest series of operations has once again placed the focus on the security threat posed by terrorist groups operating along Pakistan's western borders, particularly amid repeated attempts to infiltrate the country and carry out attacks.

The military's media wing said security forces and law-enforcement agencies remained determined to eliminate the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country, while continuing to protect Pakistan's frontiers and maintain peace and stability.