22 terrorists killed during sanitation operation in North Waziristan: ISPR

Security forces killed 22 terrorists during a decontamination operation conducted in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that based on credible intelligence about the presence of terrorists, security forces have been conducting an operation in the general area of ​​Shewa since Sunday where “after intense exchange of fire, 22. khwarijbelonging to Indian sponsored Fitna al-Khawarijhas been sent to hell within the last 24 hours”.

ISPR added that arms and ammunition were recovered and further said that they were actively involved in several terrorist activities in the area.

“The decontamination operation is currently underway and the area has been effectively cordoned off by security forces,” the statement added.

“Evidence further confirms that khwarij coerced and intimidated the local population and forced their compliance to gain safe passage by using them as human shields. Such deplorable acts are highly condemnable and no justification can rationalize the danger to public lives,” ISPR said.

It further said that the clearance operation continued to eliminate remaining terrorists in the area, as part of the relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ endorsed by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan.

Read more: 22 terrorists killed in Khyber IBO

“Security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue full steam ahead to eradicate the threat of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the statement concluded.

President Asif Ali Zardari also praised the professionalism of security forces for their effective operation against terrorists.

He said the use of local civilians as human shields was evidence of the group’s brutality and disregard for human life.

The President also praised the courage, bravery and sacrifices of the personnel participating in counter-terrorism operations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for their successful operation and said, “security forces are achieving significant successes in the war against terrorism.”

He further added, “Our security forces stand as an iron wall against terrorism. We are committed to completely eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country.”

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also praised the professional capacity of the security forces and said they had foiled the nefarious designs of the terrorists.

“The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in the war against terrorism. The end of the terrorists in Fitna al-Khawarij is a gruesome death. With the support of the nation, the terrorists and the facilitators of Fitna al-Khawarij will be eliminated.”

KP has been fighting terrorism since the US’s ouster from Afghanistan, with terrorists often crossing the border to target police convoys and vehicles, resulting in the deaths of several officials and personnel.

The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies said in a report that 85 confirmed terrorist attacks were recorded in April, down from 146 in March, marking a 42% drop, while deaths from such attacks fell from 106 to 60, extending a downward trajectory that had begun the previous month.

The report attributed the improvement to Pakistan’s cross-border military campaign against terrorist 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, called Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, had been launched following unprovoked shelling by the Afghan Taliban from across the border.

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

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

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