BANNU/ RAWALPINDI:
Security forces on Monday killed three terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij in two separate operations in North Waziristan and Tank districts, as five policemen were injured on the same day in an armed attack on the convoy of the North Waziristan District Police Officer (DPO) near Bannu, officials said.
The incidents come amid the continuing terror threat in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s border belt, where cross-border infiltration attempts and targeted attacks on security personnel have intensified in recent months.
The DPO narrowly escaped the attack, which took place amid heightened security operations across KP.
According to Bannu Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan, gunmen opened fire on the vehicle of the North Waziristan DPO. He said the attack took place on Miranshah Road, a key link between Bannu and North Waziristan, but confirmed that the DPO remained unhurt.
“The unidentified assailants have taken refuge in nearby areas and a search is on [to trace them]he said.
According to police sources, DPO Waqar Khan was traveling from North Waziristan to Bannu with his security team when assailants lying in wait opened fire using automatic and heavy weapons.
The police retaliated with precision and courage, forcing the attackers to flee after suffering heavy casualties.
Thanks to the DPO’s bulletproof vehicle and the reinforced protection of the accompanying squad cars, a major tragedy was averted. The injured police personnel were immediately shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital where they received medical attention.
Following the attack, the Bannu Police launched a large-scale search operation in the area, with the Quick Response Force (QRF), Rapid Response Force (RRF) and Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) participating in the operation.
Later, DIG Bannu Region Sajjad Khan and DPO Waqar Khan visited the injured officers and instructed doctors to ensure the best possible treatment. The DIG and DPO condemned the cowardly act and asserted that such attacks cannot weaken the resolve of the police force.
“The police remain steadfast in their mission to protect the lives and property of citizens,” they said, promising that any such act of terror will be met with a firm response.
They reaffirmed their commitment to restore and maintain peace and order in the region using all available resources.
The attack came as security forces reported a series of successful counter-terrorism operations across KP, highlighting persistent terrorist activity in the region bordering Afghanistan.
Terrorists eliminated
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), at least three terrorists were killed in two separate operations in North Waziristan and Tank districts on Monday.
“The movement of a group of khwarij, opposite the general area of Esham, North Waziristan District, who tried to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was intercepted by the security forces,” ISPR said in a statement.
The military’s media wing said troops “effectively engaged the group of khwarij. As a result of precise and skillful engagement, two khwarij belonging to the Indian deputy, Fitna al Khwarij, were sent to hell”.
The statement said one of the slain terrorists was identified as Qasim, an Afghan national who had served in the Afghan Border Police. In another intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Tank district, security forces killed another terrorist, identified as Ikramuddin alias Abu Dajana, also an Afghan national.
“These incidents reveal continued involvement of Afghan nationals in numerous terrorist activities against innocent civilians and security forces inside Pakistan,” the ISPR stated.
It added that Pakistan “has repeatedly asked the Interim Afghan Government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border and is expected to fulfill its obligations and deny Khwarij’s use of Afghan land and involvement of its citizens in terrorism inside Pakistan”.
The military reiterated that Pakistan’s security forces remain “resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation’s borders”.
A decontamination operation has been launched in the area to eliminate any “other Indian sponsored Kharji,” ISPR said.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for their successful counter-terrorism operations in North Waziristan and Tank districts, which resulted in the killing of three terrorists belonging to the Fitna al-Khawarij group.
The President praised the forces for thwarting the terrorists’ infiltration attempts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. “Defeating the Indian-backed Fitna al-Khawarij is essential for Pakistan’s peace and stability,” he said, hailing the troops for their “timely and effective action”.
He added that the nation “takes pride in its armed forces to thwart the nefarious designs of the enemy”.
He reiterated that under the Azm-e-Istehkam initiative, operations would continue until complete elimination of terrorism.
“Pakistan will never compromise on its defence, sovereignty or security,” President Zardari stressed and prayed that “Almighty protect our beloved homeland from terrorism and all forms of discord”.
The prime minister praised the security personnel for their courage and professionalism and described the operations as a reflection of the nation’s “unwavering resolve” to eliminate terrorism in all its forms.
“The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with our security forces in their determination for Azm-e-Istehkam and in the fight against terrorism,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said in a statement.
He affirmed that Pakistan remains determined to “eradicate the scourge of terrorism from every corner of the country”.
