- 11 others injured in ‘robust intelligence’ operations being conducted since August 20
RAWALPINDI: As many as 25 terrorists including their ringleader Abuzar alias Saddam were killed and 11 others injured in successful intelligence-based operations by security forces in Tirah valley of district Khyber, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday.
As per the statement of the military’s media wing, the security forces to tackle the Fitna al Khawarij and its affiliates launched “robust intelligence” operations.
“Twenty-five terrorists were neutralized while 11 were injured after security forces conducted “extensive” intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the Khyber district against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and two of its affiliate groups,” the military’s media affairs wing said on Tuesday.
The ISPR A statement said that the operations were based on “robust intelligence” and resulted in major setbacks to Fitna al Khawarij and its affiliates.
“During these daring and highly successful IBOs being conducted since 20 August 2024, security forces have so far successfully neutralized twenty-five Khwarij, including Kharji ring leader Abuzar alias Saddam, who has been sent to hell, while 11 Khawrij have been injured,” the statement said.
“However, during the conduct of operations, four brave soldiers, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat (martyrdom),” it said.
The heavy losses inflicted upon Fitna Al Khawarij in these operations were a testament to the valour and commitment of the security forces to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country, it added.
Earlier this month, the government declared TTP as Fitna al-Khawarij and all other terrorists associated with the group as khariji (outcasts).
Speaking during a press conference, ISPR Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that the move was made because the TTP was a “mischief-making group” that was “neither an ideology nor has anything to do with Islam or Pakistan.”
He had added that security forces and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) conducted 23,622 small and large-scale IBOs in the country this year, out of which 2,045 operations were carried out in the second half of July.
President Zardari lauds security forces for successful operation
Appreciating the security forces for carrying out a successful operation against the Fitna al Khawarij, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed that the state will continue taking action until the complete eradication of terrorism from the country.
“Security forces demonstrated courage and sent the terrorists to hell,” they said and paid tribute to the soldiers who embraced martyrdom during the operations.
“We will neither compromise on the peace and order of the country nor hesitate to make any sacrifices for the protection of the motherland,” they said.
Police thwart militant attack on Kurram toll plaza checkpoint in Lakki Marwat
On the other hand, the police repulsed a late-night attack by militants on a police checkpoint at Kurram Toll Plaza in Lakki Marwat that left one officer injured, while another individual died of a heart attack triggered by the terror of the incident.
According to police officers, the militants opened fire on the Lakki Marwat Toll Plaza, prompting a swift retaliatory response from the police.
Local villagers also joined the police, forcing the attackers to flee under heavy gunfire.
The assault resulted in the injury of Ali Muhammad, an employee stationed at the toll plaza checkpoint.
Additionally, a 60-year-old man from Karak, who was merely a passerby, died of a heart attack due to the shock and fear caused by the gunfire.
The Lakki Marwat District Police Officer (DPO) stated that the terrorist attack was successfully repelled.
He mentioned that the attackers attempted to target the Manjiwala police checkpoint but were driven away by timely police action.
The attack, which occurred last night, was thwarted as police responded immediately, preventing the militants from causing further harm.
