Naveed Ahmad KhanÂ
Islamabad: At least 30 terrorists were killed in three engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 24-25, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), media affairs wing of the Pakistan Army.
The ISPR said in a press release on Saturday that an intelligence-based operation was conducted by the security forces in Lakki Marwat District after confirmation about the presence of militants in the area. During the operation, troops effectively engaged the militants and killed 18 of them. Six Khwarij were wounded in this operation.
Another intelligence-based operation was conducted in Karak District. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire exchange, eight militants were effectively neutralised by the security forces.
In the third encounter that took place in general area Bagh, Khyber District, troops successfully neutralised four khwarij, including Kharji ring leaders Aziz ur Rehman @Qari Ismail and Kharji Mukhlis. Two Khwarij were wounded in this operation.
Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the Khwarij died during these operations. The dead militants had been actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area against the security forces as well as innocent civilians.
The ISPR said that sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any remaining militants in the area.
Meanwhile:President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday commended the security forces for neutralizing four terrorists during an operation in District Khyber.
The president praised the bravery of the security forces for successfully eliminating four Khwarij including a key terrorist leader during an intelligence-based operation, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.
“Security forces are carrying out operations to eradicate the specter of terrorism,” the president said, adding the entire nation stood united against terrorism.
The president further said that operations against Fitna al Khwarij would continue till the complete eradication of terrorism.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also appreciated the officers and personnel of the security forces for a successful operation against Khwarij in Bagh area of District Khyber.
He praised the professional skills of the officers and personnel of the security forces for neutralizing four Khwarij including their key leaders.
“We will continue the fight against the menace of terrorism till it is completely eradicated from the country,” he reiterated.
He further said that he along with the entire nation, stood shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in the fight against terrorism.
The prime minister reiterated that they would foil the nefarious designs of terrorists to spread chaos and unrest in the country.
