On Monday, the military’s media wing announced that security forces killed nine terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Takwara area of Dera Ismail Khan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan has seen an increase in terrorist activities over the past year, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, after the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces carried out the IBO during the night of April 6-7, based on intelligence regarding the presence of Khwarij.
The term “Fitna Al Khawarij” is used by the state to refer to the banned TTP.
The statement read, “During the operation, our own troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location, and after an intense fire exchange, nine Khwarij, including high-value target (HVT) Khwarji ring leader Shireen, were sent to hell.”
The forces also recovered weapons and ammunition from the terrorists.
The statement further noted that the terrorist leader was wanted by law enforcement agencies for “his involvement in numerous terrorist activities” and “target killings of innocent civilians.” He was also responsible for the martyrdom of Captain Hasnain Akhtar on March 20.
ISPR added, “Today’s operation has avenged the heinous act and brought the main perpetrator to justice.”
The statement also mentioned that a “sanitization operation” was being conducted in the area to eliminate any remaining terrorists, adding, “The security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country.”
A day earlier, security forces killed eight terrorists and injured four others as they thwarted an infiltration attempt on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in North Waziristan.
Last month, the government ruled out a fresh military operation amid a surge in terrorist attacks, especially in KP and Balochistan.
Militant violence and security operations intensified in March, with the number of militant attacks surpassing 100 for the first time since November 2014, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (Picss).
In KP, at least 206 people were killed — including 49 security personnel, 34 civilians, and 123 militants — while 115 others were injured, including 63 security personnel and 49 civilians, the Picss report stated.
President and Prime Minister Praise Forces for Successful IBO
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for their successful operation against terrorists in Dera Ismail Khan, as reported by state media Radio Pakistan.
In a statement, President Zardari stated that the security forces would continue operations until the complete eradication of terrorism. He emphasized that the resolve to eliminate terrorist elements and ensure the country’s defense would remain unwavering.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the entire nation stands with the security forces in the war against terrorism. He expressed commitment to completely eradicate terrorism from the country.