RAWALPINDI: Security forces eliminated 22 militants during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Bannu, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday.
According to ISPR, the operation was launched after receiving reports about the presence of members of Fitna Al-Khawarij.
During the mission, security forces effectively targeted the militants’ hideouts, leading to a heavy exchange of fire in which 22 terrorists were killed.
A clearance operation is currently underway to search for more militants allegedly backed by India, ISPR added.
The military’s media wing said that operations under Azm-e-Istehkam will continue until terrorism is completely eradicated.
The security forces and law enforcement agencies remain fully committed to dismantling hostile networks, stressing that eliminating foreign-backed militancy is a top national.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for carrying out a successful intelligence-based operation against Khawarij in Bannu.
The president and prime minister, in their separate statements, paid tribute to the security forces for their timely and effective response and for eliminating 22 terrorists of Indian-backed Fitna al Khawarij.
They appreciated the determination of the Pakistan Army and law-enforcement agencies, saying that the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam” was achieving great success.
“Eliminating the Indian-backed Khawarij is the state’s top priority. The martyrs and the war veterans (Ghazis) are the pride of the nation,” President Zardari remarked and also saluted the soldiers who displayed courage during the operation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the entire nation stood with Pakistan’s armed forces in this war against terrorism.
“We are determined to purge the country of every form of terrorism,” he resolved.
