Security forces kill 11 terrorists in KP, Balochistan operations

ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed 11 terrorists during intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Radio Pakistan reported on Thursday.

According to the report, two terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Bannu, where weapons and ammunition were also recovered.

Five members of Fitna al-Khawarij were killed in another operation in the Ladha area of South Waziristan.

In Balochistan, four terrorists were killed in the Sasool area of Khuzdar district. Security forces targeted the militants with the assistance of a quadcopter, according to the state broadcaster.

Zardari, Naqvi praise security forces

President Asif Ali Zardari praised security forces for the successful operation against terrorists in Bannu.

He said eliminating terrorist elements, including Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij, was essential for national security and sustainable peace.

“Pakistan will be rid of the menace of terrorism,” Zardari said, according to a statement.

The president said the nation was proud of the professional capabilities and successes of security forces and law enforcement agencies.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also praised security forces for their operations against terrorists in KP and Balochistan.

Naqvi lauded the forces’ professional capabilities after 11 terrorists were killed in the intelligence-based operations, saying the timely actions had thwarted the militants’ “nefarious designs”.

“The brave sons of the security forces are our source of pride,” Naqvi said. “The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in the war against terrorism.”

The state uses the term Fitna al-Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Fitna al-Hindustan for designated Balochistan-based groups.

Pakistani security forces conduct thousands of intelligence-based operations in KP and Balochistan, which border Afghanistan, every year.

Islamabad has accused the Afghan government and India of supporting the TTP and separatist Baloch militant groups in carrying out attacks. Kabul and New Delhi deny the allegations.

Pakistan has witnessed a rise in militant attacks in KP and Balochistan since the Afghan Taliban took over Afghanistan. The increase in attacks has strained ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of providing sanctuary to militants on its soil.

Afghanistan denies the allegations. The two countries have also engaged in deadly border clashes, disrupting trade and the movement of people across their land borders.