Eight terrorists killed in Mohmand; five killed after intense firefight in North Waziristan
Security forces killed 13 terrorists while thwarting two separate infiltration attempts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Thursday.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the incidents took place on Tuesday and Wednesday when terrorists belonging to the “Indian-sponsored” Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) tried to cross into Pakistan.
According to ISPR, security forces detected the movement of a group trying to infiltrate through the border in Mohmand district.
“Own troops effectively engaged this group of khwarij. As a result of precise and skilled engagement, eight khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khwarij was sent to hell,” the statement said.
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The expression Fitna al-Khwarij used by the state to refer to terrorists associated with the outlawed TTP.
ISPR said another infiltration attempt was thwarted in North Waziristan district where security forces engaged a group of terrorists in an intense exchange of fire and neutralized five.
The statement said the engagements once again underscored Pakistan’s position regarding the Afghan Taliban regime’s inability to ensure effective border management on its side.
“Afghan Taliban regime must fulfill its obligations and deny the use of Afghan land by khwarij and prevent involvement of its citizens in terrorism inside Pakistan,” ISPR said.
It added that the security forces remained resolute in their commitment to defend the country’s borders.
According to the ISPR, clearance operations were carried out to eliminate other terrorists in the area, adding that the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Supreme Committee of the National Action Plan, would continue at full speed to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for preventing infiltration attempts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
In a statement, the prime minister praised the professionalism and operational readiness of the officers and personnel of the security forces for successfully thwarting attempts to infiltrate Pakistan from Afghanistan.
“Security forces effectively thwarted infiltration attempts in Mohmand and North Waziristan, killing 13 khwarij,” the prime minister said, adding that the forces had once again demonstrated their professional capabilities in defending the country’s borders.
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“War on terrorism will continue until the complete elimination of this menace from the country,” he said. “Every soldier of the Pakistan Army is engaged day and night in protecting the motherland.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz said the entire nation, including himself, stood shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces in their unwavering commitment to the defense of the country.
Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also hailed the security forces for foiling the two infiltration attempts.
He said timely action by the security forces resulted in the elimination of 13 “Indian-sponsored terrorists”.
“The security forces foiled the nefarious plans of the enemy at the Pak-Afghan border,” Naqvi said, adding that he saluted the brave personnel for their courage and professionalism.
The minister said the nation was proud of the operational capacity and valor of the security forces, adding that the entire country stood with them.
The situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has been tense since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021, with terrorists often trying to infiltrate Pakistan using Afghan soil.
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Tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent months over mutual accusations of cross-border militancy. Islamabad has long maintained that terrorists linked to the TTP operate from Afghan territory, while Kabul has denied the allegations and accused Pakistan of violating its sovereignty through alleged attacks.
In February this year, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab Lil Haq following renewed clashes along the border after Afghan Taliban forces fired at several locations, prompting a swift military response.
A five-day lull in hostilities was observed from March 18 to 23 on the occasion of Eidul Fitr. However, the government later resumed the operation and the Foreign Office said it would continue “until its objectives are achieved”.
