Islamabad, Pakistan – The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan announced on Saturday that 14 terrorists were killed in three separate and intensive intelligence operations in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
These operations are part of the ongoing “Operation Resolve” counter-terrorism campaign.
Details of qualitative operations
The army’s media wing stated in a statement that nine “Kharijites” had been eliminated.
(This is a term used by the state to refer to terrorists
belonging to the banned Pakistani Taliban movement)
This occurred during two operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Tank operation: Based on an intelligence report,
a search operation was carried out in the Tank area.
During the operation, “our forces effectively engaged the Kharijite position,
and after an intense exchange of fire, seven of them were eliminated.”
In a separate operation conducted in the Lakki Marwat area,
“security forces were able to effectively neutralize two more Kharijites.”
The statement noted that the terrorists who were eliminated
“remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities.”
This is against security forces and law enforcement agencies,
and includes targeted killings of innocent civilians.”
The forces confirmed that they are conducting clearing operations to eliminate any other remnants.
Eliminating the “Hindustan sedition” in Balochistan
Later in the day, the army’s public relations office reported
that security forces had carried out a security operation in the Dera Bugti district of Balochistan.
It resulted in the killing of five terrorists belonging to the “Fitnat-e-Hindstan” group.
(This is a designation used by the state to refer to groups based in Balochistan
and to highlight India’s alleged role in destabilizing the region).
The public relations office confirmed that weapons and ammunition
were found in the possession of the slain terrorists in all three cases.
The Prime Minister and senior officials praise the operations
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif praised the security forces for the success of the operations.
He noted that the forces are making significant gains
against terrorism under the leadership of “Azmi al-Istiqama”,
He emphasized that “the people stand with the security forces in confronting terrorism.
We are determined to eradicate terrorism from the country.”
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari also praised the “courage and swift action”
of the forces in “thwarting the evil intentions of the terrorists.”
He affirmed that “the nation’s determination to eliminate terrorists will remain steadfast.”
For his part, Interior Minister Mohsen Naqvi praised the professionalism
and courage of the security forces,
He noted that “timely operations thwarted serious threats.”
He stressed that “the security forces remain fully committed to restoring
and maintaining lasting peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
Background: Pakistan has witnessed an escalation in terrorist activities,
particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
This comes after the Pakistani Taliban ended their ceasefire
with the government in November 2022.
Earlier this week, security forces killed seven terrorists in the North Waziristan region.
