Pakistan army soldiers. PHOTO: ISPR/FILE
QUETA:
Security forces on Sunday foiled a major terror plot in Balochistan’s Pishin district, killing five terrorists belonging to Indian representative Fitna al Khwarij during an intelligence-based targeted operation.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations and security sources, forces received credible information that members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan were planning attacks on police lines and Cadet College Pishin.
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The suspects were reportedly hiding in a house near the cadet school and were finalizing preparations for the attacks. In response to the warning, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a selective operation.
According to the ISPR statement, the troops confronted the terrorists and, after an exchange that lasted an hour, “one terrorist detonated himself with a suicide vest,” while four other people were killed by the security forces.
A search of the facility led to the recovery of modern weapons, a large quantity of explosive material, hand grenades and maps of sensitive locations in Pishin, indicating detailed planning of the attack, the statement and security sources said.
The bodies were taken to a hospital for autopsy. Authorities said the terrorists had been involved in previous attacks against security forces, police and Anti-Terrorism Department personnel.
“During the operation, its own troops effectively attacked the entire Tashkeel with multiple weapons. After an intense exchange of fire, the Kharji suicide bomber cowardly blew himself up and four other Indian-sponsored Khwarij were chased down and sent to hell,” the ISPR statement said.
“Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the Khwarij, who were still actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.”
He added that disinfection operations were being carried out to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists in the area.
“The relentless campaign against terrorism under the ‘Azm e Istehkam’ vision (approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by the Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to eliminate the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR statement read.
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President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for the successful action against Fitna al-Khawarij in Pishin district. “The intelligence-based operation against Indian representative Fitna al-Khawarij reflects the national resolve against terrorism,” President Zardari said.
“The fight against the scourge of terrorism will continue until its complete elimination,” stated the President.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also praised the security forces’ ability to eliminate five terrorists.
“The nation is proud of the courage and professional experience of the security forces,” he said. “The successful operations of security forces for the establishment of peace in Balochistan are commendable.”
Separately, two terrorists, including a detained commander, were killed on Sunday when outlaws attacked a CTD vehicle in a bid to free their chief in Bannu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
According to officials, the CTD team was transporting a recently arrested high-profile terrorist commander, Usama (alias Daniyal, alias Baghi), to identify the crime scene related to the murder of Miranshah Deputy Commissioner Shah Wali Khan.
The suspect was being taken to complete the evidentiary requirements of the case when his accomplices launched an indiscriminate attack on the convoy to secure his release.
The CTD SWAT team responded promptly, leading to an intense firefight. During the crossfire, an attacker’s bullet hit the detained commander. The CTD armored personnel carrier was also directly attacked, but the personnel were unharmed.
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Officials said that during interrogation, the slain commander had confessed to his involvement in multiple high-profile attacks, including the murder of Deputy Commissioner Shah Wali Khan, former SHO Abid Wazir and three Marwat Qaumi Tehreek leaders.
In retaliation, security forces also killed another terrorist identified as Kamyab Khan alias Ikhlas Yar, son of Nabuwat Khan, a resident of Kabul Khel Shewa, North Waziristan.
He was wanted by CTD Bannu in several cases related to attacks on police and security forces. Among the weapons recovered from his possession were a Kalashnikov rifle with two magazines, two hand grenades, a card linked to the banned TTP, a CNIC and a mobile phone.
With contributions from our Peshawar correspondent
