Security forces have killed four terrorists affiliated with the Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij in two separate Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the military’s media wing said Thursday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the first operation was conducted in Dera Ismail Khan district after reports of terrorist presence in the area. “After an intense exchange of fire, two khwarij, belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij were sent to hell,” the statement read.
The term Fitna al-Khawarij is used by the state to refer to militants affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
A second IBO was carried out in Mohmand district, where the ISPR noted that “in ensuing skilful engagement, two more khwarij were effectively neutralized”.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, who were said to have been involved in terrorist activities in the area. The ISPR added that sanitisation operations were underway to clear any remaining militants, with the counterterrorism campaign under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision set to continue.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif both praised the security forces for the operations. The prime minister said that “the nation values the sacrifices rendered by its brave armed forces and security institutions,” and vowed to foil every conspiracy against Pakistan’s peace and stability. He reiterated that operations would press on until terrorism was fully eradicated.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also commended the forces, paying tribute to their professionalism in foiling the designs of the militants.
