Eight terrorists killed in intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan

Security forces killed eight terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan, security sources said, adding that their hideouts were destroyed and a large cache of weapons and ammunition recovered.

According to the Radio Pakistan, the operation was launched after intelligence indicated the presence of militants in the area. During the operation, security forces destroyed the terrorists’ hideouts and recovered a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and other equipment.

The sources said the militants had attempted to use a mosque as a shield to evade the security forces. The forces, however, exercised caution to respect the sanctity of the mosque while carrying out the operation, they added.

The operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle militant hideouts and disrupt the activities of Fitna al-Khawarij in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the sources said.

Tensions along Afghan border

The development comes amid heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

According to the federal government, the country continues to face militant attacks emanating from Afghanistan, with the Taliban government allegedly involved.

A day earlier, security sources said the Army had foiled an attempt by ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’ militants, allegedly operating under the supervision of the Afghan Taliban, to infiltrate the Kurram sector from Afghan posts in Nangarhar and Paktia.

The sources said Afghan Taliban forces subsequently opened fire on Pakistani border posts in the Kurram sector with heavy weapons and mortars. Pakistani security forces responded and silenced the attacking positions, they added.

On the same day, armed forces also shot down eight drones in Kohat and areas near the Torkham border. Security sources said the drones had entered Pakistani airspace and were intercepted by the country’s air defence system.

The claims regarding the cross-border infiltration, firing and drones could not be independently verified.