Security forces kill 18 terrorists in K-P, Balochistan operations: state media

Security forces killed 18 terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan in separate operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan, state media reported on Wednesday, citing security sources.

The federal government last year officially designated all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as Fitna al-Hindustan, accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through the outfits.

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

In K-P, security forces killed 13 Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan, Pakistan TV wrote on X, adding that operations against terrorist groups continued under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision.

Separately, security forces killed five Fitna al-Hindustan terrorists during an operation in Mastung, Balochistan, Pakistan TV wrote on X, adding that heavy weapons and ammunition were recovered during the operation, while clearance and search operations continued in the area under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3, it added.

President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for successful operations against terrorists in K-P and Balochistan. The president praised the bravery and professional capabilities of the security forces for killing 13 Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan.

He also paid tribute to the security forces for killing five Fitna al-Hindustan terrorists during a successful operation in Mastung. President Zardari said the security forces had reflected the nation’s resolve and courage through effective and decisive operations against terrorists.

He said the operations were a clear demonstration of firm resolve against terrorist elements. The president said conspiracies by the terrorists’ foreign sponsors and their local facilitators would be foiled.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the officers and personnel of the security forces for a successful operation against Fitna al-Khawarij in North Waziristan, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Wednesday.

The prime minister commended the professional capabilities of the security forces for killing 13 Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists during the operation. He said the security forces had effectively targeted Fitna al-Khawarij hideouts in North Waziristan and surrounding areas.

PM Shehbaz said operations against Fitna al-Khawarij would continue until the complete elimination of terrorism and the establishment of lasting peace in the country. He said effective operations against terrorism under Azm-e-Istehkam reflected the state’s unwavering resolve to completely eliminate terrorism.

The prime minister said terrorists seeking to harm the country’s peace and security would not be allowed to succeed in their “nefarious designs”.

Read: Five terrorists killed, two wounded in North Waziristan operation: security sources

Meanwhile, Police foiled an attack by Fitna al-Khawarij on the Shadipur police post in Kohat, District Police Officer (DPO) Rai Mazhar Iqbal said.

According to DPO Iqbal, "Police launched a strong retaliatory operation after the attack, inflicting heavy losses on the terrorists."

Four police personnel were injured in the exchange of fire and were shifted to hospital, hospital authorities said. The injured personnel were in stable condition and out of danger.

“Following the foiling of the attack, police continued to pursue the terrorists as part of a search-and-strike operation,” the DPO said.

He further added that security had been further tightened across Kohat and police remained committed to maintaining peace in the district.

A day earlier, security forces killed 5 terrorists and wounded two others in a successful intelligence-based operation (IBO) also in North Waziristan. According to state media, the security forces successfully targeted terrorists' hideouts in North Waziristan and surrounding areas, and they had been continuously monitoring the movement of Fitna al-Khawarij before carrying out a decisive operation against the group

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist activity over the past three months, with a series of attacks across the country resulting in the martyrdom of security personnel and civilians.

Last week, 12 people were killed and 35 others injured when a blast struck a joint checkpoint near Aman Mela in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan, with the TTP claiming responsibility for the attack.

Read more: Security forces kill 11 terrorists in separate Balochistan, K-P operations

On September 19, 23 people, including 15 police personnel, were martyred in a blast at a mosque in Kohat’s Police Lines during Friday prayers. Eight terrorists were also killed during a subsequent search and clearance operation. Later, the Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), led by Afghanistan-based Hafiz Gul Bahadur, claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing and rampage involving multiple attackers.

In a separate incident, a captain and a lieutenant were among six security personnel martyred in an exchange of fire in Hangu district, while eight terrorists were killed.

On September 1, six personnel, including two officers, and a customs department official were martyred as security forces thwarted an attempt to breach the Customs House in Balochistan.

In July, at least 30 people, including 27 police personnel, were martyred when terrorists identified by the state as the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan ambushed police personnel deployed in the Kach Mangi Phase III area of Ziarat, triggering hours-long gun battles. The attackers also abducted several civilians and police personnel after the assault.

In the aftermath of the attack, the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police launched a joint operation, which remains underway, with forces intensifying action against terrorists across the province.