The funeral prayers for the martyred Rangers personnel are being offered in Karachi. Photo: Express
ISLAMABAD:
Security forces on Sunday killed 29 terrorists during intelligence-based ground operations and precision strikes carried out under the Operation Ghazb Lil Haq following recent terrorist attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and the Pakistan Rangers camp in Karachi.
In a post on X, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the operations targeted “hideouts and safe havens of terrorists belonging to Jamaat ul Ahrar and Fitna al Khwarij” – the outlawed outfit responsible for the Saturday’s attack in Karachialong the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Tarar said that forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Bajaur district on Sunday in which “high-value Khwarji Commander Khan Farosh alias Zabal, along with three terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Jamaat ul Ahrar, were sent to hell while several others got injured”.
In continuation of Operation Ghazb Lil Haq and based on credible intelligence, he added, Pakistan also carried out “precise targeting of terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to Jamaat ul Ahrar and Fitna al Khwarij” during the night of June 28-29 in the border region.
According to the minister, three targets in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar were destroyed in the precision strikes, killing 25 militants, while “large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at these Marakiz and hideouts were also destroyed”.
He said Pakistan had “always strived for maintaining peace and stability in the region” but “shall not compromise on the safety and security of our citizens, which remains our top priority”, Tarar said.
Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ will “continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” he concluded.
The strikes came hours after the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that retribution operations would be carried out against the perpetrators of the attack on the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) camp in Karachi to avenge the martyrdom of its soldiers.
In a statement issued after the attack, the ISPR said a relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm e Istehkam’ would continue at to eliminate the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
According to the media wing of the military, “Khwarij belonging to the Indian proxy Jamaat ul Ahrar” targeted a Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) camp in Gulistan-e-Jauhar locality of Karachi late on Saturday.
Following a blast at the camp’s main gate, the attackers attempted to breach the perimeter security but were repelled by the vigilant response of Rangers personnel, who killed three terrorists and captured one injured attacker, identified as an Afghan national.
It said that three Rangers personnel embraced martyrdom during the exchange of fire, while four other soldiers were injured. It added that sanitisation operations were continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining Indian-sponsored terrorists.
The ISPR also said Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir expressed deep condolences to the families of the fallen personnel, saying that their sacrifices further reinforced the country’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation at all costs.
Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the terrorist attack and paid rich tributes to the security personnel who embraced martyrdom.
In their separate messages, they praised the Rangers for foiling the attack. “The nation would never forget the sacrifices of its brave soldiers in the fight against terrorism,” President Zardari said in a statement issued by the President Secretariat.
Prime Minister Shehbaz praised the security forces for successfully foiling a cowardly terrorist attack. He said Pakistan Rangers personnel had once again demonstrated exceptional professionalism, bravery and devotion to duty by thwarting the terrorists’ designs.
Reaffirming that “the blood of the martyrs would not go in vain”, the prime minister said every manifestation of terrorism would be eliminated with full force. He added that Fitna al-Hindustan and its patrons would never succeed in achieving their malicious objectives.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also strongly condemned the attack and paid tribute to the three Rangers personnel who embraced martyrdom while courageously confronting the attackers.
Naqvi who arrived in Karachi on Sunday also attended the funeral for the martyred Rangers personnel. He also visited the terrorist attack site. “Those involved in terrorism, wherever they may be, will be pursued by the security forces and brought to justice,” Naqvi said.
