Rawalpindi – Pakistan’s security forces killed at least 13 terrorists in a series of intelligence-based operations conducted across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on March 6 and 7, the military’s media wing announced on Sunday.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) , the operations are part of a “relentless counter terrorism campaign” under the national vision of ‘Azm e Istehkam’. The Pakistani authorities use the term Fitna Al Khwarij for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
District-Wise Operations
The ISPR detailed the successful engagements across the province:
- Bajaur District: During an intelligence-based operation, troops effectively engaged a terrorist location. After an intense exchange of fire, five terrorists were killed.
- Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan Districts: In two separate encounters, security forces successfully neutralized three terrorists belonging to what the military described as “Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij.”
- Khyber and South Waziristan Districts: In two simultaneous engagements, troops killed five more terrorists.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, who the military said had been actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.
The ISPR confirmed that sanitization operations are ongoing to eliminate any other “Indian sponsored Kharji” elements found in the region.
National Leadership Commends Forces
The successful operations drew widespread praise from the country’s top civilian leadership.
President Asif Ali Zardari commended the security forces’ professional expertise, stating that operations against terrorists of Fitna Al-Khawarij—who he said were backed by India—were “extremely important for maintaining peace in the country.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces, emphasizing that they are achieving major successes as part of a systematic campaign against militancy. “The entire nation stands firmly with the armed forces in the fight against terrorism,” the Prime Minister stated. “We will not sit idle until terrorism is fully eliminated from the country.”
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also lauded the forces, stating they had once again foiled the “nefarious designs” of Khawarij elements. He reiterated the commitment to ensuring peace in K-P, asserting that terrorists “would not be allowed to hide anywhere.”
Ongoing Campaign
The military reiterated its unwavering commitment to defending the nation’s frontiers. “The Security Forces of Pakistan remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation’s frontiers,” the ISPR statement concluded.
The “relentless Counter Terrorism campaign” under the vision of ‘Azm e Istehkam’, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue at full pace “to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.”
