Security forces kill five terrorists in Tank, Dera Ismail Khan IBO’s: ISPR | The Express Tribune

Security forces killed five terrorists belonging to the “Indian-sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij” in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBO) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Friday.

The state uses the term Fitna al-Khawarij for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were conducted between Wednesday and Thursday,

The first was carried out in the Tank district on the reported presence of terrorists.

“During conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and after intense exchange of fire, four khwarij, belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij, were sent to hell,” the statement said.

Read: 22 terrorists killed in Khyber IBO

The other IBO was conducted in the Dera Ismail Khan district where one terrorist was killed in the ensuing fire exchange.

The ISPR added that weapons and ammunition were also recovered, adding that the slain terrorists were actively involved in numerous militant activities in the area.

“Sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other kharji found in the area, as relentless counter terrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” it concluded.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the security forces for the successful operations.

President Zardari appreciated the professional capabilities of the security forces in eliminating the five terrorists.

“Operations against the scourge of terrorism must continue until its complete eradication from the country,” the president was quoted as saying, adding that successful actions against “India-backed terrorist elements” reflected the nation’s resolve.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz said the security forces were achieving major successes in the fight against terrorism.

Also Read: 22 terrorists killed in intelligence-based operation in K-P, military says

“The entire nation stands with the Pakistan Armed Forces in this war against terrorism,” the prime minister said.

He added that the nation was united against terrorism and would not rest until its complete eradication from the country.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi similarly praised the security forces.

“The nation regards the successes of Pakistan’s brave security forces with eyes full of appreciation. Operations will continue until the last Indian-sponsored terrorist and facilitator is eliminated,” he said.

K-P has been battling terrorism since the United States’ ouster from Afghanistan, with terrorists often crossing the border to target police convoys and vehicles, resulting in the deaths of several officials and personnel.

A week earlier, a police official and a security official were martyred after terrorists belonging to the outlawed Fitna Al-Khawarij group targeted a security forces camp in KP’s Lakki Marwat district.

The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), in a report, said that 85 verified terrorist attacks were recorded in April, down from 146 in March, marking a 42 per cent decline, while fatalities from such attacks fell from 106 to 60, extending a downward trajectory that had begun in the previous month.

The report attributed the improvement to Pakistan’s cross-border military campaign against militant groups and Taliban positions between February 26 and March 18, which later gave way to a suspension of hostilities and talks in Urumqi, China.

The operation, named Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, had been launched following unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban from across the border.

Despite the decline in attacks, overall combat-related deaths, including those from militant violence and security operations, stood at 291 in April.

Militants accounted for 224 of these deaths, representing 77pc of the total.

The remaining casualties included 28 security personnel, 37 civilians and two members of pro-government peace committees.