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

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 outlawed 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 due to the reported presence of terrorists.

“During the execution of the operation, own troops effectively engaged them khwarij location and after intense exchange of fire four khwarijbelonging to Indian sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarijwas sent to hell,” the statement said.

Read: 22 terrorists killed in Khyber IBO

The second IBO was carried out in Dera Ismail Khan district where a terrorist was killed in the ensuing exchange of fire.

ISPR added that arms and ammunition were also recovered, adding that the slain terrorists were actively involved in several militancy activities in the area.

“Remediation operation is done to eliminate any other kharji found in the area as a relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue in full swing 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 praised the security forces for the successful operations.

President Zardari appreciated the professional capacity of the security forces to eliminate 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 operations against “India-backed terrorist elements” reflected the nation’s resolve.

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

Also read: 22 terrorists killed in intelligence-based operation in KP, 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 also praised the security forces.

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

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.

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

The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said in a report that 85 confirmed terrorist attacks were recorded in April, down from 146 in March, marking a 42 percent 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 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, 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 percent. of the total number.

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