Army major among four servicemen martyred

24 terrorists killed during operations in Balochistan, K-P

RAWALPINDI:

 

Four troops, including a major, were martyred while 24 terrorists were killed in intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the military's media wing said on Saturday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that since Nov 13, armed forces have been conducting multiple IBOs "around Kolpur, Kardagap and Nushki, including area domination and patrolling of the Quetta-Taftan National Highway (N-40) to keep it secure for local traffic and sustain operations".

On the night of Nov 13/14 in Kolpur, security forces "successfully neutralised eight Indian-sponsored terrorists of Fitna al Hindustan (FAH), including a suicide bomber, and recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition", ISPR said.

The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna al-Hindustan to highlight India's alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

It added that on Nov 14, FAH terrorists "targeted military vehicles on patrol with armed quadcopters", resulting in the martyrdom of Major Omer Minhas Nasir, resident of Chakwal district, and Havildar Muhammad Adnan Khan from Kotli Sattian.

"This cowardly act has not shaken the resolve of the security forces. The tempo of operations will be maintained and IBOs will continue with the same vigour to secure the local population and eliminate the menace of terrorism," ISPR affirmed.

It added that clearance operations in these areas will continue "until the threat is completely neutralised".

It further said: "Backed by India and other hostile intelligence agencies, FAH is actively trying to use drones and other technical means, including IEDs (improvised explosive devices), to target innocent civilians and security forces, so as to undermine the efforts of the government and security forces to maintain peace and normalcy in the area."

Accusing India of providing terrorists full financial support and supplying it with the "latest gadgetry", the ISPR asserted, "The security forces are fully alive to this evolving threat and will deny the terrorists any space, whatever means they employ."

ISPR affirmed that the "relentless counterterrorism campaign under vision 'Azm-e-Istehkam', as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue at full pace".

The military's media wing warned that security forces and law enforcement agencies "will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country".

In an earlier statement, ISPR said two soldiers were martyred and 16 terrorists were killed as security forces continued a series of IBOs in North Waziristan.

According to the military's media wing, multiple khwarij locations were engaged in the general areas of Mir Ali, Datta Khel and surrounding areas in North Waziristan.

"Following fierce fire exchanges, in last twelve hours, 12 khwarij, including two Afghan nationals belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khwarij were sent to hell in Ali Khel, while two khwarij each were neutralised in Mir Ali and Datta Khel, thereby causing a significant blow to the khwarijs' network operating in the area," ISPR said.

ISPR said that during the operations, 43-year-old Havildar Asmat Ali and 32-year-old Naik Aftab Ali embraced martyrdom.

"Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed Indian-sponsored khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities, including the killing of innocent civilians," it said.

The statement said that sanitisation operations would continue to eliminate "remaining holed-up khwarij from these areas", adding that the counterterrorism campaign would continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in separate statements, paid tribute to the security forces for their successful operations and expressed condolences over the martyrdom of the troops.

The president expressed his condolences to the bereaved families of the martyrs, terming the sacrifices by officers and soldiers a "source of pride for the entire nation".

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the professional competence, bravery and prompt action of the security forces.

He commended the security forces for eliminating 16 terrorists "belonging to Fitna al-Khwarij, who were operating under Indian patronage" in North Waziristan, state-run APP quoted his office as saying.

"The supreme sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our national resolve to completely eradicate terrorism," he said and reiterated that operations against terrorism would continue until its complete elimination from the country.

The prime minister resolved that the fight against "foreign-backed terrorism" would continue with full force, determination and steadfastness till its complete eradication.