https://arab.news/9mvj3
- Militants were involved in several attacks on Pakistani officials and civilians, says the military’s media wing
- A ‘high-value target’ was also killed in the intelligence-based operation carried out in Bajaur district
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces killed nine militants, including two suicide bombers and a high-value target, during an intelligence-based operation in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Thursday.
Pakistan has seen a surge in militant attacks since its fragile truce with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Pakistani Taliban, collapsed in November 2022. According to official data, over 82 policemen have been killed in attacks across KP since the beginning of the year.
The recent operation was carried out by Pakistani forces in Bajaur district following reports of the presence of militants involved in the killing of security personnel.
“During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the Khwarij [militants’] location and after intense fire exchange, nine Khwarij including two suicide bombers and a high-value target Khwarij ring leader Said Muhammad aka Qureshi Ustad were sent to hell,” the ISPR said.
A large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from the slain militants who remained involved in numerous “terrorist activities” against security forces and civilians, statement added.
It informed that a sanitization operation was being conducted to eliminate any other militants in the area while highlighting that security forces were determined to wipe out militancy from the country.