10 Indian-backed Khawarij killed, seven soldiers martyred in Lower Dir: ISPR

ISLAMABAD: Security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Lower Dir, killing 10 Indian-backed Khawarij, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Saturday.

According to the ISPR, seven soldiers were martyred during the operation while “fighting bravely to save innocent civilian lives.”

According to the ISPR, intelligence reports confirmed the involvement of Afghan nationals in the incident.

The statement said Pakistan expects the interim Afghan government to fulfil its responsibilities.

“A clearance operation is under way in the area,” the ISPR said vowing to “uproot Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country.

Earlier, security forced killed at least 35 India-backed militants in two separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while 12 soldiers of Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom during a clash in South Waziristan.

According to the ISPR, an intelligence-based operation was carried out in Bajaur between September 10 and 13.

During the intense exchange of fire, 22 militants were killed. In another operation in South Waziristan, 13 more terrorists were eliminated, the ISPR said.

The ISPR said that a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the hideouts. The slain militants had been involved in several terrorist activities in the region.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Afghanistan Taliban have been told to choose between Pakistan and the ‘Khawarij’ — a term used by security forces and the government for militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The prime minister, accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, visited Bannu, where they attended the funeral prayers of 12 soldiers martyred in the South Waziristan operation and paid tribute to their sacrifices.

Earlier, security forces killed at least 35 militants in two separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while 12 soldiers of Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom.

They also visited injured soldiers at the Combined Military Hospital Bannu.