Three terrorists killed in NW, Tank ops | The Express Tribune

BANNU/
RAWALPINDI:

Security forces on Monday killed three terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij in two separate operations in North Waziristan and Tank districts, as five police personnel were injured the same day in an armed attack on the North Waziristan district police officer’s (DPO) convoy near Bannu, officials said.

The incidents come amid the continuing terror threat in Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa’s border belt, where cross-border infiltration attempts and targeted assaults on security personnel have intensified in recent months.

The DPO narrowly escaped the attack, which occurred amid heightened security operations across K-P.

According to Bannu Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan, armed men opened fire at the vehicle of North Waziristan’s DPO. He said the attack occurred on Miranshah Road, a key link between Bannu and North Waziristan, but confirmed that the DPO remained unhurt.

“The unidentified attackers have hidden in nearby areas and a search operation is underway [to trace them],” he said.

According to police sources, DPO Waqar Khan was travelling from North Waziristan to Bannu with his security squad when assailants, lying in wait, opened fire using automatic and heavy weapons.

The police retaliated with precision and courage, forcing the attackers to flee after suffering heavy casualties.

Thanks to the bulletproof vehicle of the DPO and the reinforced protection of the accompanying squad cars, a major tragedy was averted. The injured police personnel were immediately shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, where they were provided medical assistance.

Following the attack, Bannu Police launched a large-scale search operation in the area, with Quick Response Force (QRF), Rapid Response Force (RRF) and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) taking part in the operation.

Later, DIG Bannu Region Sajjad Khan and DPO Waqar Khan visited the injured officers and directed doctors to ensure the best possible treatment. The DIG and DPO condemned the cowardly act, asserting that such attacks cannot weaken the resolve of the police force.

“The police remain steadfast in their mission to protect the lives and property of citizens,” they stated, vowing that every such act of terrorism will be met with a firm response.

They reaffirmed their commitment to restoring and maintaining peace and order in the region using all available resources.

The attack came as security forces reported a series of successful counterterrorism operations across K-P, highlighting persistent terror activity in the region bordering Afghanistan.

Terrorists eliminated

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), at least three terrorists were killed in two separate operations in North Waziristan and Tank districts on Monday.

“Movement of a group of khwarij, opposite general area Esham, North Waziristan District, who were trying to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was picked up by the security forces,” the ISPR said in a statement.

The military’s media wing said troops “effectively engaged the group of khwarij. As a result of precise and skillful engagement, two khwarij belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Khwarij were sent to hell”.

The statement said one of the slain terrorists was identified as Qasim, an Afghan national who had served in the Afghan Border Police. In another intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Tank district, security forces killed another terrorist, identified as Ikramuddin alias Abu Dajana, also an Afghan national.

“These incidents reveal continued involvement of Afghan nationals in numerous terrorist activities against innocent civilians and security forces inside Pakistan,” the ISPR stated.

It added that Pakistan “has repeatedly been asking the Interim Afghan Government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border and is expected to fulfil its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by Khwarij and involvement of its citizens in terrorism inside Pakistan”.

The military reiterated that Pakistan’s security forces remain “resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation’s frontiers”.

A sanitisation operation has been launched in the area to eliminate any “other Indian sponsored Kharji,” the ISPR said.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the security forces for their successful counterterrorism operations in North Waziristan and Tank districts, which resulted in the killing of three terrorists belonging to the group Fitna al-Khawarij.

The president praised the forces for foiling the infiltration attempt by terrorists in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. “Defeating the Indian-backed Fitna al-Khawarij is vital for Pakistan’s peace and stability,” he said, paying tribute to the troops for their “timely and effective action”.

He added that the nation “takes pride in its armed forces for thwarting the enemy’s malicious designs”.

He reiterated that under the Azm-e-Istehkam initiative, operations would continue until the complete elimination of terrorism.

“Pakistan will never compromise on its defence, sovereignty, or security,” President Zardari stressed, praying that “Almighty protects our beloved homeland from terrorism and all forms of discord”.

The prime minister commended the security personnel for their courage and professionalism, describing the operations as a reflection of the nation’s “unwavering resolve” to eliminate terrorism in all its forms.

“The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with our security forces in their resolve for Azm-e-Istehkam and in the fight against terrorism,” PM Shehbaz said in a statement.

He reaffirmed that Pakistan remained determined to “eradicate the scourge of terrorism from every corner of the country”.