ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s security forces killed 15 terrorists in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday, the military’s media wing reported.
According to the military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Hathala area of Dera Ismail Khan district following reports of the presence of Khwarij—a term used for terrorists of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group.
“During the operation, security forces effectively engaged the terrorist hideout, resulting in the elimination of nine terrorists, including high-value targets Farman alias Saqib, Amanullah alias Toori, Saeed alias Liaqat, and Bilal,” ISPR stated.
These terrorists were actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the region and were highly wanted by law enforcement agencies, ISPR stated.
In a separate operation in the Miran Shah area of North Waziristan district, security forces neutralised six more terrorists, ISPR added.
However, during the intense exchange of fire, Lieutenant Muhammad Hassaan Arshaf (aged 21, resident of Lahore district) led his troops from the front and embraced martyrdom along with three soldiers.
“The three soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice were Naib Subedar Muhammad Bilal (aged 39, resident of Dera Ismail Khan district), Sepoy Farhat Ullah (aged 27, resident of Lakki Marwat district), and Sepoy Himat Khan (aged 29, resident of Mohmand district),” the ISPR statement read.
Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area. “Pakistan’s security forces are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve,” the military’s media wing resolved.
Terror attacks in Pakistan
Pakistan has recently witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, prompting intensified counter-terror operations.
ALSO READ: Pakistan Security Forces Kill 13 Terrorists During Operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Earlier this week, security forces eliminated 13 terrorists in five separate operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday night.
According to a 2024 report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies think-tank, last year was the deadliest in a decade for Pakistan. At least 685 security personnel were martyred in a total of 444 terror attacks.
ISPR Director General reported that in 2024 alone, security forces conducted 59,775 operations, resulting in the elimination of 925 terrorists.
