Security forces eliminate 34 terrorists in KP, Balochistan IBO: ISPR

Security forces killed 34 terrorists belonging to banned groups Fitna Al Khwarij And Fitna Al Hindustan militant groups in separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, army media said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces carried out a series of “rapid, intelligence-led operations” as part of an anti-terrorism campaign to eliminate “Indian proxies”.

The state uses the term Fitna Al Khwarij for terrorists affiliated with the banned group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, while Fitna Al Hindustan refers to banned groups operating in Balochistan.

Read: Security forces kill 22 more terrorists in Balochistan as three-day toll rises to 177

According to the press release, 26 terrorists belonging to Fitna Al Khwarij were killed in four separate engagements in KP, while eight terrorists linked to Fitna Al Hindustan were killed on Tuesday during an operation in Balochistan.

The ISPR said that the movement of a group of terrorists trying to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghan border into the general area of ​​Hassan Khel in North Waziristan district was detected by security forces. Troops engaged the group, killing one terrorist, adding that the slain member was identified as an Afghan national.

In another IBO in Lakki Marwat district, three terrorists were killed after an intense exchange of fire, the statement said.

Simultaneously, security forces conducted two encounters in Narmi Khel area of ​​Bannu district where 10 terrorists were killed. In another operation in Mir Ali area of ​​North Waziristan, 12 terrorists were eliminated based on specific intelligence, the ISPR added.

During a fifth engagement in the Sambaza zone of Zhob district, eight terrorists belonging to Fitna Al Hindustan were killed after a violent exchange of fire.

“Arms and ammunition were also recovered from khwarij and terrorists killed by India, who remained actively involved in many terrorist activities in the region,” the statement said.

The ISPR said disinfection operations were underway to eliminate all remaining terrorists. He reiterated that security forces, as well as law enforcement agencies, would continue their operations within the framework of the “Azm-i-Istehkam” vision, approved by the Supreme Federal Committee on National Action Plan, to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for their successful operations.

“With professional excellence and strategic precision, security forces eliminated 26 terrorists from Fitna al-Khawarij in KP and eight terrorists from Fitna al-Hindustan in Balochistan during several operations,” he said.

He said the Pakistan Armed Forces continued to achieve decisive successes against terrorist organizations.

“According to the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, terrorism will soon be eradicated from the country,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the government remains firmly committed to ensuring complete elimination of terrorism from the country.