ISLAMABAD: An “Indian backed” terrorist was killed on Tuesday in a failed attempt to target innocent civilians in Bannu district of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military’s media wing stated in a statement.
“One kharji belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij got eliminated while planting an improvised explosive device,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said.
The state uses the term Fitna al Khwarij to refer to terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). It has also designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna al Hindustan to highlight India’s role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. Similarly, the term ‘khwarij’ refers to Indian sponsored terrorists operating from Afghanistan’s territory.
The ISPR said the incident highlights the growing desperation of the khwarij, who, due to sustained and effective pressure from Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies, are increasingly resorting to cowardly attempts against soft targets.
“Their failed actions reflect their diminishing capabilities and frustration in the face of ongoing counter terrorism efforts,” it added.
The military’s media wing said a sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored Kharji found in the area.
It said the relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under 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.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in cross-border terror incidents since Taliban rulers returned to Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
Pakistan has consistently urged the Interim Afghan Government to implement effective border management on their side and is expected to fulfill their obligations by preventing Afghan territory from being used by Khwarij and stopping the involvement of Afghan citizens in acts of terrorism within Pakistan.
