22 terrorists killed during disinfection operation in North Waziristan: ISPR

Security forces killed 22 terrorists during a sanitation operation in North Waziristan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the army’s media wing said on Tuesday.

A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that based on credible intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists, Since Sunday, security forces have been carrying out an operation in the general area of ​​Shewa during which, “after intense exchanges of fire, 22 khwarijbelonging to an Indian sponsored group Fitna al-Khawarijhave been sent to hell in the last 24 hours.”

The ISPR added that arms and ammunition were recovered, further claiming that they were actively involved in many terrorist activities in the region.

“The disinfection operation is currently underway and the area has been effectively cordoned off by security forces,” the statement added.

“The evidence further confirms that khwarij coerced and intimidated the local population, forcing them to gain safe passage using them as human shields. Such deplorable acts are highly condemnable and no justification can justify endangering public lives,” the ISPR said.

He added that the disinfection operation continued to eliminate the remaining terrorists in the region, as part of the relentless anti-terrorism campaign under the ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ vision, approved by the Supreme Federal Committee on National Action Plan.

Learn more: 22 terrorists killed in Khyber IBO

“Pakistan’s security and law enforcement agencies will continue to eliminate the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the statement concluded.

President Asif Ali Zardari also praised the professionalism of the security forces for their effective action against terrorists.

He said the use of local civilians as human shields was proof of the group’s brutality and disregard for human life.

The President also praised the courage, bravery and sacrifices of personnel participating in counter-terrorism operations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the security forces for their successful operation, saying: “Security forces are achieving significant successes in the war against terrorism.”

He added: “Our security forces stand like an iron wall against terrorism. We are committed to completely eradicating all forms of terrorism from the country.”

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also praised the professional capabilities of the security forces, saying they had thwarted the nefarious designs of the terrorists.

“The nation stands with the security forces in the war against terrorism. The end of the terrorists of Fitna al-Khawarij is an ignominious death. With the support of the nation, terrorists and facilitators of Fitna al-Khawarij are being eliminated.”

The KP has been battling terrorism since the US ouster from Afghanistan, with terrorists often crossing the border to target police convoys and vehicles, leading to the deaths of several officials and personnel.

The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies said in a report that 85 verified terrorist attacks were recorded in April, compared to 146 in March, a drop of 42 percent, while the number of victims of such attacks fell from 106 to 60, continuing a downward trajectory that began the previous month.

The report attributes the improvement to Pakistan’s cross-border military campaign against terrorist groups and Taliban positions between February 26 and March 18, which subsequently resulted in a suspension of hostilities and talks in Urumqi, China.

The operation, called Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, was launched following unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban from across the border.

Despite the decline in attacks, the total number of combat-related deaths, including those from militant violence and security operations, stood at 291 in April.

Activists are responsible for 224 of these deaths, or 77% of the total.

Other victims include 28 members of the security forces, 37 civilians and two members of pro-government peace committees.