Eight terrorists were killed during infiltration from Afghanistan, five others were slain in Bajaur, sources said
Security forces foiled a major terrorist plot in North Waziristan, killing three Khwarij and averting what officials described as a “potentially catastrophic attack” by terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy group Fitna al Khwarij, the military’s media wing said, referring to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement on Saturday, the operation was launched in the Jhallar area of North Waziristan after credible intelligence indicated that Khwarij elements were preparing a vehicle-borne suicide attack.
“Based on credible intelligence on reported presence of Khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij preparing a Vehicle borne suicide bomber for a major terrorist activity, security forces conducted an intelligence based operation in general area Jhallar, North Waziristan District,” the ISPR said.
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During the conduct of the operation, troops effectively engaged the terrorist hideout, destroying the vehicle being prepared for the suicide attack and eliminating three Indian sponsored Khwarij.
“During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged Khwarij location and through precise and skillful engagement, destroyed the vehicle being prepared for the suicide attack and also eliminated three Indian sponsored Khwarij,” the statement read.
The ISPR added that a sanitisation operation was underway to clear the area of any remaining terrorists. “Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored Khwarij found in the area,” it said, reaffirming the military’s resolve to continue its counterterrorism efforts.
The statement further reiterated that the “relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision Azm-e-Istihkam (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.”
Forces wipe out 13 terrorists
Meanwhile, in separate counterterrorism operations in Bajaur and North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, security forces killed 13 terrorirts in separate raids, officials said on Saturday.
According to security sources, in Bajaur, five terrorists were eliminated during an operation after they were found using part of a local mosque as a hideout. The terrorists had allegedly turned the mosque into a base to plan and execute terrorist attacks in the region.
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Acting on credible intelligence, security personnel conducted a targeted raid, killing the terrorists and securing the area from further threats.
Meanwhile, in North Waziristan, forces foiled an infiltration attempt by 16 terrorists across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border near Hasan Khel in the Spinwam area. In the ensuing exchange of fire, eight terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation.
Sources confirmed that the terrorists belonged to the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The operation, they added, successfully prevented cross-border attacks and disrupted terrorists movement from Afghan territory.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has faced a sustained wave of terrorist attacks, prompting ongoing security operations against elements described by the state as Fitna al-Khwarij, which is the term used for terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
On Oct 24, security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Tank district and killed eight “Khwarij belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij”, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release.
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On the same day in Hangu Superintendent of Police (SP) Operations Asad Zubair, his gunman Dawood and driver Atif were martyred in explosions near the Ghalmina checkpost within the limits of the Bilyamina Police Station, prompting a massive operation in which two terrorists were killed.
A day earlier, Security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation in Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan, killing six terrorists and injuring several others, official sources said.
Earlier this week, security forces conducted successful operations in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), killing six terrorists in Dalbandin and destroying multiple terrorist hideouts in Bajaur, according to security sources.
