Seven militants neutralized in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported on Friday that security forces have eliminated seven terrorists in separate operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district and various areas in Balochistan.

According to the military’s media wing, four militants were killed in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Bannu during the early hours of Friday. In addition to the fatalities, two other terrorists were injured. The forces recovered weapons, ammunition, and explosives from the militants, who had been involved in numerous attacks against security forces and the targeted killing of civilians.

The ISPR noted that the ongoing sanitization operation aimed to eliminate any remaining terrorists in the area. The security forces remain committed to eradicating terrorism from the region.

This operation followed a recent suicide attack in Bannu, which resulted in the martyrdom of 12 security personnel. Six militants were killed in retaliation for the attack.

In Balochistan, security forces neutralized four terrorists in three separate engagements between November 20 and 24. An intelligence-based operation in District Awaran led to the elimination of two high-value targets, Niaz alias Ghuman and Zareef alias Shah Jahan, after an intense gunfight. Another terrorist was killed in Dera Bugti District, while a fourth was neutralized in Kech District during a similar operation.

The terrorists killed in these operations had been involved in various attacks on security forces and civilians and were wanted by law enforcement agencies.

The ISPR emphasized that the security forces, in collaboration with the people of Pakistan, are determined to protect peace, stability, and progress in Balochistan and thwart any attempts to disrupt these efforts.

Pakistan has experienced a rise in terrorist attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), fatalities linked to terrorist violence surged by 90% in the third quarter of 2024. The report recorded 722 deaths and 615 injuries across 328 incidents, with the majority occurring in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

In response to the operations, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for their successful actions in Bannu. Both leaders reaffirmed the country’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and promised continued efforts to eliminate terrorist threats.

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