23 militants killed in intelligence-based operations in KP

ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed 23 militants, including a top commander, in a series of intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past 48 hours, the military’s media wing said.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that troops conducted coordinated operations in Datta Khel, Spinwam and Bannu areas, targeting multiple militant hideouts.

The military said that those killed belonged to what it described as “India-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij” network, a term Pakistan uses for militants it accuses of operating with foreign backing.

Among those killed was a high-value target, Jan Mir alias Toor Saqib, whom the military described as a key militant commander and one of the most wanted figures involved in attacks on security forces and civilians.

“Over the last 48 hours, during the conduct of these series of operations, troops effectively engaged multiple Khawarij locations,” the ISPR said.

It said that the commander’s killing would deal a significant blow to militant networks operating in the region.

The military said that follow-up sanitisation operations were underway to clear remaining militants from the affected areas.

During the operations, security forces also uncovered and destroyed underground tunnels and bunkers used by militants, the ISPR said, adding that weapons, ammunition, explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered.

It said that the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign under the national framework “Azm-e-Istehkam” would continue with full force to eliminate militancy from the country.

Pakistan has witnessed a rise in militant violence in recent years, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where security forces frequently conduct intelligence-based operations against insurgent groups.

Meanwhile, President, Asif Ali Zardari, has highly commended the country’s security forces following a series of successful counter-terrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), which resulted in the elimination of twenty-three militants.

In an official message, the President paid tribute to the professional capabilities of the armed forces, describing the neutralisation of the operatives as a significant victory in the ongoing campaign against the outlawed group officially designated as Fitna al-Khawarij, according to Radio Pakistan.