RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s security forces have killed 16 terrorists attempting to infiltrate the country from Afghanistan, thwarting an attempted incursion in North Waziristan’s Ghulam Khan Kallay area, the military said on Sunday.
According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the movement of a group of terrorists trying to cross the Pakistan-Afghanistan border was detected on the night of 22-23 March. Security forces swiftly engaged the infiltrators, resulting in an intense exchange of fire.
“After a heavy gunfight, all 16 Khawarij (a term used for terrorists of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) were killed,” ISPR said.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, both of which share a border with Afghanistan.
Authorities in Islamabad have repeatedly urged the Taliban-led administration in Kabul to take concrete action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory and launching attacks inside Pakistan.
Pakistan has consistently been asking the Interim Afghan Government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border, ISPR said.
“The Interim Afghan Government is expected to fulfil its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for perpetrating acts of terrorism against Pakistan,” ISPR said.
Pakistan’s security forces are determined to secure the country’s borders and eliminate the threat of terrorism, ISPR affirmed.
Pakistan’s President and PM commend security forces
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has heaped praise on the Pakistan security forces for foiling terrorists’ infiltration attempts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
President Zardari has lauded the bravery and professionalism of security forces for successfully thwarting a cross-border terrorist infiltration attempt along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
In his statement, President Zardari emphasised the resolve of Pakistan’s forces to protect the country against all threats, reaffirming that counter-terrorism operations will continue until the complete eradication of terrorism.
President Zardari highlighted the nation’s solidarity with security forces in the fight against terrorism.
Additionally, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also lauded the security forces, the officers and the soldiers involved, who foiled the terrorists’ infiltration attempt.
PM Shehbaz emphasised that the nation will never allow the nefarious designs of terrorists to triumph.
Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country’s safety, stating that their sacrifices will always be remembered.
PM Shehbaz reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety of the nation.
The prime minister expressed his gratitude to the security forces and soldiers and assured them of the nation’s full support in their efforts to protect Pakistan.
