Security forces kill eight Khawarij in North Waziristan

ISLAMABAD: Eight Khawarij were killed and four others injured in an exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists in North Waziristan last night.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a movement of a group of Khawarij, trying to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was picked up by the security forces in the Hassan Khel area of North Waziristan district last night.

Pakistani troops effectively engaged and thwarted their attempt to infiltrate. After an intense exchange of fire, eight Khawarij were killed and four others injured.

Pakistan has consistently been asking the interim Afghan government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border.

The interim Afghan government is expected to fulfil its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by Khawarij for perpetrating acts of terrorism against Pakistan, according to the ISPR.

A sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Khawarij found in the area as security forces of Pakistan are determined to secure its borders and wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country, the statement said.

On March 29, security forces killed six terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in the Kalat district of Balochistan.

According to ISPR, the security forces conducted a successful operation in Kalat District, targeting terrorist hideouts.

The killed terrorists remained actively involved in recent terrorist activities in the area against the law enforcement agencies as well as the innocent civilians, the ISPR said.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for foiling an infiltration attempt on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. 

In a statement, he said:  “The forces thwarted an infiltration attempt by the Khawarij in North Waziristan and killed eight infiltrators. We salute the security forces for foiling the nefarious designs of the Khawarij and commend their professionalism.” 

He further said: “The nation views the action against the Khawarij with admiration and takes pride in the courage and expertise of our security forces. The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with them.”