In a major success against terrorism, Pakistan’s security forces killed 31 terrorists in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The ISPR confirmed in its press release that the operations were carried out on 13-14 September against terrorists labeled as Fitna al Khwarij, a term used for militants linked with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and their Indian-backed networks.
Details of the Operations
The first operation was launched in Lakki Marwat after intelligence reports indicated the presence of militants. Security forces engaged in an intense exchange of fire, successfully eliminating 14 terrorists.
In a second IBO in Bannu, another 17 terrorists were killed in a heavy gun battle. Sanitization operations are ongoing to ensure that no further terrorist hideouts remain in the region.
The ISPR emphasized that Pakistan’s armed forces are fully determined to wipe out Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country, calling this a clear response to India’s destabilization attempts in Pakistan.
Rising Terrorism Threats
This operation follows an earlier announcement by the ISPR on Saturday, where 45 terrorists were killed between September 10 and 13, though 19 soldiers were martyred during the same period.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while paying tribute to the martyrs, vowed to respond to terrorism with “full force.” He stated that many terrorists and their facilitators were operating from Afghan soil with the backing of India.
“The Afghan interim government has been clearly told to choose between supporting terrorists or standing with Pakistan,” the PM warned, adding that anyone facilitating terror would be treated as an enemy of the state.
Pakistan’s Commitment
With the recent surge in terror attacks, mainly in KP and Balochistan, Pakistan has made it clear that it will not allow any proxies or facilitators of India to destabilize its security. The armed forces remain on high alert, and operations will continue until the country is free from the menace of terrorism.
