The commander carried a reward of 3 million rupees, considered the mastermind behind multiple attacks against security forces and civilians.
Security forces killed a highly wanted terrorist commander along with four other terrorists in a major intelligence-based operation in Spinwam area of North Waziristan, security sources said on Thursday.
The operation was launched following intelligence reports about the presence of an extremely wanted terrorist leader identified as Umar alias Jan Mir alias Tor Saqib. According to security sources, the commander carried a reward of Rs 3 million and was considered the mastermind behind multiple attacks against security forces and civilians.
They claimed that the operation was carried out in a coordinated manner, during which the militants were surrounded and neutralized. They added that the commander had set up underground bunkers, tunnels and booby traps in the area around the Bobali mosque in Spinwam.
Sources said the killing of the wanted terrorist commander marks a significant development in the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
Experts said eliminating the target would likely help improve security and stability in the area, calling it a major setback for the terrorist network. They added that the operations of the Operation Azm-e-Istehkam against militant groups are still ongoing.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a statement, praised the security forces for the successful operation and paid tribute to the security forces, saying the “gruesome end” of the wanted terrorist commander marked a great success for the country’s counter-terrorism efforts.
He said Pakistani security personnel were showing bravery and determination in eliminating militants linked to Fitna al-Khawarij. “The brave sons of the soil are eliminating terrorists with bravery and professionalism,” he said.
The development comes two days after Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces killed 22 terrorists during a disinfection operation carried out in North Waziristan district of KP.
Read: 22 terrorists killed during disinfection operation in KP’s North Waziristan: ISPR
The army’s media wing said that based on credible intelligence information about the presence of terrorists, The security forces were carrying out an operation in the general area of Shewa since Sunday during which, “after an intense exchange of fire, 22 kwarijbelonging to sponsored by India Fitna al-Khawarijhave been sent to hell in the last 24 hours.”
The ISPR added that arms and ammunition were recovered and further stated that they were actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.
KP has been fighting terrorism since the US expulsion from Afghanistan, and terrorists often cross the border to attack police convoys and vehicles, resulting in the deaths of several officials and staff.
Pakistan’s Institute of Conflict and Security Studies, in a report, said 85 verified terrorist attacks were recorded in April, down from 146 in March, representing a 42% decline, while deaths from such attacks fell from 106 to 60, extending a downward trajectory that had begun the previous month.
The report attributed the improvement to Pakistan’s cross-border military campaign against terrorist groups and Taliban positions between February 26 and March 18, which later gave way to a suspension of hostilities and talks in Urumqi, China.
Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched following unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban from across the border. Despite the decline in attacks, total combat-related deaths, including those caused by militant violence and security operations, rose to 291 in April.
Militants accounted for 224 of these deaths, representing 77% of the total. The remaining victims included 28 security personnel, 37 civilians and two members of pro-government peace committees.
