Commander carried Rs 3 million bounty, believed to be mastermind behind multiple attacks on security forces and civilians
Security forces killed a highly wanted terrorist commander and four other terrorists during a major intelligence operation in Spinwam area of North Waziristan, security sources said on Thursday.
The operation was launched following intelligence reports of the presence of a highly wanted terrorist leader identified as Umar alias Jan Mir alias Tor Saqib. According to security sources, the commander held a bounty of Rs 3 million and was considered the mastermind behind multiple attacks on security forces and civilians.
They said the operation was carried out in a coordinated manner, during which the militants were surrounded and neutralized. They added that the commander had established underground bunkers, tunnels and explosive traps in the area around the Bobali Mosque in Spinwam.
Sources said the assassination of the wanted terrorist commander marks a significant development in the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
Experts said eliminating the target would likely help improve security and stability in the region, calling it a major setback for the terrorist network. They added that the operations carried out within the framework of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam against militant groups continues.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a statement, congratulated the security forces for the successful operation and paid tribute to the security forces, saying the “horrific end” of the wanted terrorist commander marked a major success for the country’s counter-terrorism efforts.
He said Pakistani security personnel showed courage and determination in eliminating militants linked to Fitna al-Khawarij. “The brave sons of the earth are eliminating terrorists with courage and professionalism,” he said.
The development comes two days after the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces killed 22 terrorists during a disinfection operation carried out in North Waziristan district of KP.
Read: 22 terrorists killed during sanitization operation in KP’s North Waziristan: ISPR
The military’s media wing 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 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.
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.
