RAWALPINDI: A Pakistan Army officer was martyred as Pakistan’s security forces killed 13 terrorists during three separate intelligence-based operations in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the country military’s media wing said in a statement on Thursday.
According to the Pakistan military’s public relations department (ISPR), security forces conducted operations in the Janikhel area of Bannu district, North Waziristan, and South Waziristan on December 25 and 26 after receiving intelligence-based information about the presence of terrorists.
“On [the] reported presence of khwarij (terrorists), an intelligence-based operation was conducted by the security forces in general area Jani Khel, Bannu District,” the ISPR statement read, adding that two terrorists were killed during the operation.
In the second operation, which took place in Noth Waziristan, “five khwarij (terrorists) were effectively neutralised by security forces.” The ISPR added that eight terrorists were also injured in the operation.
However, during the gun battle, 31-year-old Major Muhammad Awais “who was leading his troops from the front, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat (martyrdom),” the statement read.
Meanwhile, in the third operation in South Waziristan, six terrorists were killed after being engaged by security forces. Eight others were injured in the encounter, the ISPR said.
“Sanitisation operations are being carried out to eliminate any other kharji found in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the statement said.
In July, the government designated the TTP as Fitna al Khawarij, mandating all institutions to use the term khariji (outcast) when referring to the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on Pakistan.
On Wednesday, 13 terrorists were also killed in a security operation in KP’s South Waziristan district, the ISPR said.
Since 2022, Pakistan witnessed a sharp uptick in the number of attacks targeting security forces and other law enforcement agencies, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to the interior ministry, in the past 10 months, 948 out of 1,566 terrorism incidents reported occurred in KP, resulting in 583 deaths (out of a total of 924 martyrdom).
