RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s security forces have killed 19 terrorists during intelligence-based operations in different areas of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a military statement said on Tuesday. However, during an exchange of gunfire with the terrorists, three soldiers also embraced martyrdom.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, the operations were carried out in Peshawar, Mohmand, and Karak districts as part of efforts to dismantle the banned Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group.
The banned TTP is operating from Afghanistan and carrying out terror attacks and killing innocent people inside Pakistan. Pakistan has repeatedly demanded Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities take action against the banned TTP for using Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan.
In the first operation, eight terrorists were eliminated in the Matani area of Peshawar district following precise intelligence inputs, the ISPR said.
The second operation was conducted in the Baizai area of Mohmand district, where another eight militants were neutralized after an exchange of fire, ISPR stated.
The third operation in Karak district saw security forces killing three terrorists, further weakening their network. However, during an intense exchange of gunfire with the terrorists, three brave soldiers, having fought gallantly, embraced martyrdom, ISPR stated.
ISPR also paid tribute to three courageous soldiers who embraced martyrdom during the fierce firefight: Lance Havildar Abbas Ali (38) from Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan, Naik Muhammad Nazir (37) from Skardu, Naik Muhammad Usman (37) from Ghizer, and Naik (37) from Attock, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Following the operations, clearance activities were launched in the affected areas to eliminate any remaining threats. “Pakistan’s security forces remain determined to eradicate the scourge of terrorism from the country, and the sacrifices of our brave soldiers only strengthen this resolve,” the military’s statement added.
President, PM praise security forces
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have lauded the security forces for successful operations against terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In their separate messages, they commended the bravery and professionalism of security forces for sending nineteen terrorists to hell in intelligence-based operations. They also paid glowing tribute to three brave security personnel, who embraced martyrdom during these operations.
Both the leaders prayed for higher ranks of the departed souls and commiserated with the bereaved families.
