ISLAMABAD: Pakistan security forces killed 13 terrorists during two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operations were launched following intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists linked to the Indian proxy Fitna al Khawarij, a term used for the terrorist group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
In Khyber district, troops carried out one of the operations, where they “effectively engaged the khwarijs’ location and after an intense fire exchange, ten khwarij were sent to hell,” ISPR said.
A second operation took place in the Bannu district, where three terrorists were killed during a gun battle. The ISPR added that “sanitisation operations were ongoing to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji found in the area”.
The military said that the ongoing counter-terrorism drive under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam would continue with full force to eliminate foreign-backed terrorism from the country.
Approved in June 2024 by the Apex Committee of the National Action Plan, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the operation aims to eradicate extremism and terrorism through coordinated efforts across security, political, and diplomatic fronts.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for the successful operations.
Both leaders reiterated the country’s firm commitment to eliminating terrorism, with the president vowing continued action to safeguard national security, while the prime minister described the armed forces as a strong shield defending the nation.
