Nine terrorists killed in North Waziristan intelligence-based operation
PESHAWAR: Security forces killed nine terrorists, including four key commanders of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, in an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan on Thursday.
Radio Pakistan reported, citing security sources, that the slain militants belonged to Fitna al-Khawarij, the state’s term for the TTP. A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the site.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi all paid tribute to the security forces for the successful operation.
The president said every conspiracy by foreign-backed terrorists and their local facilitators would be foiled, adding that operations against Fitna al-Khawarij under the Azm-e-Istehkam campaign would continue until terrorism is completely eliminated.
The prime minister said the successful operation reflected Pakistan’s unwavering resolve to eliminate terrorism, praising the officers and personnel for their role in establishing lasting peace.
Naqvi said indiscriminate operations against terrorists under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision were ongoing and would continue. “The fight against terrorism in the country will continue until all elements of Fitna al-Khawarij are completely eliminated,” he said.
Part of a wider North Waziristan campaign
The strike follows a series of operations in the region. On Wednesday, security forces killed 18 terrorists in separate actions in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan: 13 Fitna al-Khawarij militants in North Waziristan and five Fitna al-Hindustan terrorists in Mastung.
Pakistan has seen a surge in terrorist activity over the past three months. Last week, 12 people were killed and 35 injured when a blast hit a joint checkpoint near Aman Mela in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan, an attack claimed by the TTP.
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. The Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan, led by Afghanistan-based Hafiz Gul Bahadur, claimed responsibility.
The latest operation signals that the security forces are keeping up the tempo of intelligence-led strikes in the tribal districts, where militant networks have tried to regroup.
FAQ
How many terrorists were killed in the North Waziristan operation?
Nine, including four key commanders of Fitna al-Khawarij (TTP), in an intelligence-based operation reported on Thursday.
What does Fitna al-Khawarij mean?
It is the term the Pakistani state uses for terrorists of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
What is Azm-e-Istehkam?
The national counterterrorism campaign under which the ongoing operations against terrorist groups are being conducted.
