ISPR says 8 terrorists killed in IBO Tank, SP Asad Zubair among three martyred in Hangu and police killed two
RAWALPINDI:
Security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Tank district and killed eight ‘Khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij,’ the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release, referring to the banned group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
“During the operation, our own troops actually engaged in combat against the Khwarij locations and after an intense exchange of fire, eight Indian-sponsored Khwarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR said. “Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the slain Khwarij.”
According to the ISPR, the slain terrorists were involved in numerous attacks on security forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as the killing of innocent civilians. He added that a disinfection operation was underway to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored Khwarij found in the area.
“The relentless anti-terrorism campaign being carried out by the security forces and law enforcement agencies under the vision of Azm-e-Istihkam (as approved by the Supreme Federal Committee on National Action Plan) and law enforcement agencies will continue in full swing to eliminate the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR added.
Hangu
Hangu Police said Superintendent of Police Operations (SP) Asad Zubair, his gunman Dawood and driver Atif were killed in blasts near Ghalmina check post under Bilyamina police station limits, triggering a massive operation in which two terrorists were killed.
Police officials said the blast first hit the Ghalmina checkpoint, which was empty at the time and caused no casualties. However, when a police team led by SP Asad Zubair reached the blast site, another blast occurred.
As a result, SP Zubair, his gunman and his driver were fatally injured, while two other policemen were seriously injured. The injured were taken to the district headquarters hospital in Hangu, officials said.
Hangu District Police Officer (DPO) Khan Zaib Mohmand confirmed that SP Operations Asad Zubair and two policemen were martyred when “terrorists carried out a cowardly attack” near Ghalmina check post.
“When SP Asad Zubair and his team reached the site after the first blast, a second blast occurred leading to the martyrdom of the SP and two security personnel,” he said. “Those responsible for the attack will soon be brought to justice.”
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abbas Majeed also shared similar details while speaking to the media. “The Hangu Police were engaged in routine patrols and operational duties when terrorists detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) near the checkpoint,” he explained.
Following the blasts, DPO Mohmand reached the site with heavy reinforcements and personally led the counter-operation. Police cordoned off the area and launched searches in nearby hills, locating the terrorists within half an hour and engaging them in a fierce face-off, police sources said.
The terrorists opened fire indiscriminately and the exchanges continued for more than 30 minutes. During the gun battle, two terrorists were killed, while Station House Officer (SHO) Imranuddin was injured, the sources added.
DPO Mohmand said the sacrifices of the martyred police officers would remain a guide for the police force. “The courage of the Hangu police reflects the national determination to completely eliminate terrorism,” he said.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the police check post in Hangu. They congratulated the security forces for their successful counter-terrorism operation, reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate India-backed terrorist networks operating against the country.
In their separate statements, the President and the Prime Minister expressed deep sadness over the martyrdom of police personnel, including SP Asad Zubair, which they said was carried out by Indian-backed terrorists.
President Zardari called terrorists “enemies of peace and stability” and said their cowardly acts were intolerable. He paid tribute to SP Asad Zubair and other police martyrs, saying the nation was proud of its brave sons who laid down their lives to protect the country. “I salute the determination and courage of the police in the war against terrorism,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also commended the police for their frontline role in the fight against terrorism, reiterating that the government remained committed to eradicating the menace from the country. “We are determined to eradicate terrorism and we will not rest until the last terrorist is eliminated,” he said.
Both leaders also congratulated the security forces for successfully carrying out the operation in Tank, describing it as a significant achievement in Pakistan’s ongoing anti-terrorism campaign. The operation, they said, was a major blow to militants who were allegedly operating with Indian support.
Zardari, in a separate statement, praised the professionalism and courage of the security personnel involved in Operation Tank and reiterated his full support for the government’s anti-terrorism campaign, called Operation Azm-e-Istihkam.
He said the nation must continue to support its security institutions to defeat the threat of terrorism once and for all. “The sacrifices made for the peace and stability of Pakistan will not be in vain,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, in a separate message, praised the security forces for their “professional competence” during the operation in Tank, which resulted in the killing of eight foreign militants linked to India.
The President and Prime Minister reaffirmed that the State would continue its sustained operations against terrorist networks and that the entire nation would remain united behind its security forces.
They vowed that Pakistan would never allow hostile elements to destabilize the country or jeopardize its hard-earned peace.
(With additional input from our journalists at Hangu and DI Khan)
