President Zardari, Naqvi laud security forces, reaffirm resolve to eliminate terrorism
Security forces killed seven terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan, Radio Pakistan reported on Friday, citing security sources.
Fitna al–Khawarij is the term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
According to the sources, a large quantity of weapons and ammunition was also recovered from the terrorists.
President Asif Ali Zardari commended the security forces for their successful operation in North Waziristan, Radio Pakistan reported.
In a statement, he said the conspiracies of terrorists’ foreign sponsors and their local facilitators would be thwarted at all costs. The president said the entire nation stood with its security forces in the war against terrorism.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for their successful operation and commended the forces’ resolve and professionalism, saying the nation stood with them in the fight against terrorism.
The terrorists would find no place to hide, adding that indiscriminate operations against terrorists under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision were continuing and would continue, Naqvi added.
Read: Security forces kill nine terrorists in North Waziristan operation: state media
A day earlier, security forces killed nine terrorists, including four key commanders belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij, during an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan, Radio Pakistan reported, citing security sources. A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was also recovered from the terrorists, the sources added.
The latest operations came amid continued security operations against terrorist groups in the country. Security forces on Wednesday killed 18 terrorists in separate operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, according to state media reports citing security sources. Thirteen Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists were killed in North Waziristan, while five Fitna al-Hindustan terrorists were killed in Mastung, Balochistan.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist activity over the past three months, with a series of attacks across the country resulting in the martyrdom of security personnel and civilians.
Last week, 12 people were killed and 35 others injured when a blast struck a joint checkpoint near Aman Mela in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan, with the TTP claiming responsibility for the attack.
Read more: Security forces kill 11 terrorists in separate Balochistan, K-P operations
On September 19, 23 people, including 15 police personnel, were martyred in a blast at a mosque in Kohat’s Police Lines during Friday prayers. Eight terrorists were also killed during a subsequent search and clearance operation. Later, the Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), led by Afghanistan-based Hafiz Gul Bahadur, claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing and rampage involving multiple attackers.
In a separate incident, a captain and a lieutenant were among six security personnel martyred in an exchange of fire in Hangu district, while eight terrorists were killed.
On September 1, six personnel, including two officers, and a customs department official were martyred as security forces thwarted an attempt to breach the Customs House in Balochistan.
In July, at least 30 people, including 27 police personnel, were martyred when terrorists identified by the state as the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan ambushed police personnel deployed in the Kach Mangi Phase III area of Ziarat, triggering hours-long gun battles. The attackers also abducted several civilians and police personnel after the assault.
In the aftermath of the attack, the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police launched a joint operation, which remains underway, with forces intensifying action against terrorists across the province.
