Security forces have killed at least 11 militants in two separate intelligence-based operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on January 8, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has confirmed.
The military has said that the militants belonged to Indian proxy Fitna Al Khwarij, a term it uses for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The ISPR claims that in response to reports of militant activity in the region, an Intelligence-Based Operation was carried out in the North Waziristan district. Six militants were killed by security personnel during the operation after an exchange of fire.
In a separate incident, a joint intelligence-based operation was carried out by police and security forces in Kurram district. The operation resulted in the killing of five more militants, the statement said.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the dead militants. ISPR has stated that the militants were “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the Security Forces, Law Enforcement agencies, and the target killing of innocent civilians”.
The military added that sanitisation operations were being conducted in both areas to eliminate any remaining militants.
The ISPR further said the operations were part of a broader counterterrorism effort being carried out under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, which was approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.
The military described the current operation as a “relentless Counter Terrorism campaign” that will continue at full speed to eradicate the threat of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated earlier this week that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa accounted for 80 percent of terrorist incidents in Pakistan.
Additionally, he mentioned a growing “nexus between political and militant elements,” claiming that circumstances had made it possible for militant organizations to band together, create networks of facilitators, and consistently contest the authority of the state.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said that the prevailing environment had broader implications for Pakistan’s internal security and had enabled extremist groups to operate with greater coordination in the province.