The Pak-Afghan border at Chaman. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Security forces on Sunday killed 29 terrorists during intelligence-based ground operations and precision strikes conducted under Operation Ghazb Lil Haq following recent terror attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Pakistan Rangers camp in Karachi.
In a post on X, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the operations targeted “hideouts and safe havens for terrorists belonging to Jamaat ul Ahrar and Fitna al Khwarij” — the banned outfit responsible for Saturday’s attack in Karachi — along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Tarar said forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Bajaur district on Sunday in which “high-value Khwarji commander Khan Farosh alias Zabal, along with three terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Jamaat ul Ahrar, were sent to hell while several others were injured”.
In continuation of Operation Ghazb Lil Haq and based on credible intelligence, he added, Pakistan also carried out “precise targeting of terrorist camps and hideouts of Jamaat ul Ahrar and Fitna al Khwarij” on the night of June 28-29 in the border region.
According to the minister, three targets in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar were destroyed in the precision strikes, killing 25 militants, while “large quantities of arms and ammunition stored at these Marakiz and hideouts were also destroyed”.
He said Pakistan had “always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region” but “will not compromise on the safety and security of our citizens, which remains our top priority”, Tarar said.
Pakistan’s anti-terror campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ will “continue at full speed to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” he concluded.
The attacks came hours after the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that retaliatory operations would be carried out against the perpetrators of the attack on the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) camp in Karachi to avenge the martyrdom of its soldiers.
In a statement issued after the attack, the ISPR said that a relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm e Istehkam’ would continue to eliminate the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
According to the military’s media wing, “Khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Jamaat ul Ahrar” targeted a Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) camp in Gulistan-e-Jauhar locality of Karachi late on Saturday.
Following an explosion at the camp’s main gate, the attackers attempted to breach the perimeter security but were repulsed by the vigilant response of Rangers personnel, who killed three terrorists and captured one wounded attacker, identified as an Afghan national.
It said three Rangers personnel embraced martyrdom during the exchange of fire while four other soldiers were injured. It added that clearance operations were continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining Indian-sponsored terrorists.
The ISPR also said the Chief of Defense Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir expressed deep condolences to the families of the fallen personnel and said their sacrifices further reinforced the country’s unwavering commitment to protect the nation at all costs.
Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the terror attack and paid tribute to the security personnel who embraced martyrdom.
In their separate messages, they praised the Rangers for foiling the attack. “The nation would never forget the sacrifices of its brave soldiers in the fight against terrorism,” President Zardari said in a statement issued by the Presidential Secretariat.
Prime Minister Shehbaz praised the security forces for successfully foiling a dastardly terrorist attack. He said that Pakistan Rangers personnel had once again demonstrated exceptional professionalism, bravery and devotion to duty by foiling the designs of the terrorists.
Affirming that “the blood of the martyrs would not go in vain”, the Prime Minister said that any manifestation of terrorism would be eliminated with full force. He added that Fitna al-Hindustan and its patrons would never succeed in achieving their nefarious goals.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also strongly condemned the attack and paid tribute to the three Rangers personnel who embraced martyrdom while bravely confronting the attackers.
Naqvi, who arrived in Karachi on Sunday, also attended the funeral of the martyred Rangers personnel. He also visited the terrorist attack site. “Those involved in terrorism, wherever they may be, will be pursued by the security forces and brought to justice,” Naqvi said.
