ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s security forces have killed seven Indian backed terrorists in a series of intelligence-based operations conducted between November 18 and 19 in northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, a military statement said on Thursday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was carried out in KP’s Mohmand district on the reported presence of terrorists.
“During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, four khwarij were sent to hell,” it said.
It further said that another intelligence-based operation was conducted in Lakki Marwat District. “In ensuing fire exchange, two khwarij were effectively neutralised by the security forces,” the statement said.
“In the third encounter that took place in Tank District, own troops successfully neutralised one more kharji,” 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.
ISPR said sanitisation and clearance operations were underway in both areas to hunt down any remaining Indian-sponsored terrorists.
It added that the ongoing counterterrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam,” approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace.
Security forces reaffirmed their resolve to eliminate foreign-backed terrorism and protect national security at all costs.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the security forces for the successful operations in a statement from his office.
“The prime minister commended the professional capabilities of the officers and personnel of the security forces for sending seven khwarij to hell in these operations,” the statement read.
“We will continue the war against the monster of terrorism until its complete elimination from the country. The entire nation, including myself, stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces in our unwavering resolve to protect our dear homeland,” it added, quoting the PM.
Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in terrorist attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The surge in violence comes after the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022 and pledged to resume attacks on security forces, police, and other law enforcement personnel.
