Security forces dismantle Waziristan terror hideouts

Explosives and torture cells discovered inside mosques

RAWALPINDI:

Security forces recovered a large cache of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), explosives, weapons and ammunition from two terrorist hideouts inside mosques during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan, the military's media wing said on Monday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was conducted on Sunday in Muzak village, on the southern outskirts of Mir Ali, against hideouts of Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khwarij – a term used for the terrorists belonging to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The statement said security forces sanitised two hideouts established inside mosques, where terrorists had deliberately stored explosive materials and operated torture cells. It described the use of places of worship for such activities as a desecration of sacred sites and a violation of Islamic teachings.

ISPR said the terrorists, supported by the Afghan Taliban, had no connection with Islam and that their interpretation and misuse of religion were unacceptable to the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan.

A sanitisation operation was continuing in the area to locate and eliminate any other terrorist hideouts, the military's media wing said, adding that the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam would continue at full pace.

The campaign was approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, ISPR said, reiterating that security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue efforts to eliminate foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

President Asif Ali Zardari commended the security forces for the operation, praising their professional competence and the recovery of explosives, weapons and ammunition from the hideouts established inside mosques.

In a statement issued by the Presidency, Zardari said using mosques to store explosives and as centres of violence was a blatant violation of Islamic teachings. He condemned terrorists for desecrating sacred places and exploiting them for their activities.

The president said terrorist elements operating with the support of the Afghan Taliban had no connection with Islam, adding that their arbitrary interpretation and misuse of religion were unacceptable.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised the security forces for the operation in Muzak village near Mir Ali, commending their professionalism and success.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Shehbaz said using mosques to store explosives and facilitate violence amounted to a blatant desecration of Islam and sacred sites. He said the exploitation of places of worship by Fitna al-Khawarij reflected the group's deviation from Islamic teachings.

The prime minister said operations by security forces and law enforcement agencies to eradicate terrorism would continue with full vigour.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)