74 terrorists killed in K-P, Balochistan IBOs

Large cache of weapons and explosives also recovered

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA/ BALOCHISTAN:

Security forces killed 74 terrorists in a series of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) during the past 48 hours, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in two separate statements on Friday.

According to the military's media wing, 43 terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij – a term used for the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – were killed in Mir Ali and Orakzai areas of K-P, while 31 Indian-sponsored terrorists were eliminated in Balochistan.

"Over the last 48 hours, during the conduct of this series of intelligence-based operations, own troops effectively engaged multiple khawarij locations," the ISPR said, adding that 35 terrorists were killed in Mir Ali and eight in Orakzai following fierce exchanges of fire.

The military said a large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives had been recovered during sanitisation operations, including homemade explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). It said the recovery had thwarted the terrorists' plans to use the material in terrorist activities.

The ISPR said the operations were part of efforts to eliminate terrorist threats and dismantle khawarij networks operating in the areas, adding that the action had dealt a significant blow to the networks.

Separately, the ISPR said 31 terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan were killed during an area sanitisation operation in the Quetta district. The term Fitna al-Hindustan is used for terrorists associated with the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its affiliates.

"In continuation of the counter-terrorism campaign, from November 3 onwards, security forces are conducting comprehensive intelligence-based area sanitisation operations in Karam area of District Quetta against Indian-backed Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan in Balochistan," the statement said.

It said multiple terrorist hideouts had been effectively engaged and 31 terrorists killed following several engagements. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the hideouts.

"Sanitisation operations continue to eliminate holed-up khawarij from these areas, as the relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the 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 ISPR said.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for the successful operations against terrorists in K-P and Balochistan, reaffirming the government's resolve to eliminate terrorism and thwart attempts to destabilise the country.

In their separate statements, the president and prime minister commended the professional capabilities and sacrifices of security personnel, saying their continued successes reflected the nation's determination to defeat terrorism.

Prime Minister Shehbaz praised the forces for eliminating 43 terrorists in Mir Ali and Orakzai, saying their sacrifices and achievements in the fight against terrorism were a source of pride for the entire nation.

He reiterated that attempts by terrorists to spread unrest in the country would never succeed, adding that the entire nation stood shoulder-to-shoulder with security forces in their efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and establish lasting peace.

President Zardari also lauded the security forces for their operations against terrorists, including the operation in the Quetta district. He said the recovery of weapons, ammunition and explosives demonstrated the effectiveness of the forces' action against terrorist elements.

The president said the continued successes of security forces reflected national resolve and professional capabilities, emphasising that operations against foreign-sponsored terrorist networks and their local facilitators must continue.

He expressed confidence that sustained operations would eventually eliminate terrorism from the country, adding that the designs of foreign-sponsored elements seeking to undermine Pakistan's peace and stability would not be allowed to succeed.

(WITH INPUTS FROM APP)