Pakistani army soldiers. PHOTO: ISPR/FILE
QUETTA:
Security forces on Sunday foiled a major terror plot in Balochistan’s Pishin district, killing five terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij in a targeted intelligence-led operation.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations and security sources, the forces received credible intelligence that members of the banned group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan were planning attacks on police lines and the Pishin cadet college.
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The suspects were reportedly hiding in a house near the cadet college and were finalizing preparations for the attacks. Following this information, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a targeted operation.
According to the ISPR statement, the troops confronted the terrorists and after an hour-long exchange, “one terrorist blew himself up with a suicide vest”, while four others were killed by security forces.
A search of the premises recovered modern weapons, a large quantity of explosive material, hand grenades and maps of sensitive locations in Pishin, indicating detailed planning of the attack, according to the statement and security sources.
The bodies were taken to a hospital for an autopsy. Officials said the terrorists had been involved in previous attacks on security forces, police and Counter Terrorism Department personnel.
“While conducting the operation, our own troops effectively engaged the entire Tashkeel with several weapons. After an intense exchange of fire, suicide bomber Kharji cowardly blew himself up and four other Indian-sponsored Khwarij were hunted down and sent to hell,” the ISPR statement said.
“Arms, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the Khwarij, who remained actively involved in many terrorist activities in the region. »
He added that disinfection operations were underway to eliminate any further Indian-sponsored terrorists in the region.
“The relentless anti-terrorism campaign under the ‘Azm e Istehkam’ vision (as approved by the Supreme Federal Committee on National Action Plan) by the security and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue in full swing to eliminate the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR statement said.
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President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for the successful action against Fitna al-Khawarij in Pishin district. “The intelligence-led operation against Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij reflects the national resolve against terrorism,” President Zardari said.
“The fight against the scourge of terrorism will continue until its complete elimination,” the President said.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also praised the ability of security forces to terminate five terrorists.
“The nation is proud of the courage and professional expertise of the security forces,” he said. “The successful operations of security forces for establishing peace in Balochistan are commendable.”
Meanwhile, two terrorists, including a detained commander, were killed on Sunday when the outlaws attacked a CTD vehicle in a bid to free their leader in Bannu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
According to officials, the CTD team was transporting a recently arrested high-level terrorist commander Usama (alias Daniyal alias Baghi) to identify the crime scene linked to the murder of Miranshah Deputy Commissioner Shah Wali Khan.
The suspect was in the process of fulfilling the evidentiary requirements in this case when his accomplices launched an indiscriminate attack on the convoy to secure his release.
The CTD SWAT team responded quickly, leading to an intense shootout. During an exchange of fire, an attacker’s bullet hit the detained commander. The CTD armored personnel carrier also came under direct fire, but personnel remained unhurt.
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Authorities said during interrogation that the slain commander confessed to his involvement in several high-profile attacks, including the killing of Deputy Commissioner Shah Wali Khan, former SHO Abid Wazir and three leaders of the Marwat Qaumi Tehreek.
In retaliation, security forces also killed another terrorist identified as Kamyab Khan alias Ikhlas Yar, son of Nabuwat Khan, a resident of Kabul Khel Shewa, North Waziristan.
He was wanted by CTD Bannu in several cases involving attacks on police and security forces. The weapons recovered from his possession included a Kalashnikov rifle with two magazines, two hand grenades, a card linked to the banned TTP, a CNIC and a mobile phone.
With the contribution of our correspondent from Peshawar
