ISPR says 8 terrorists killed during Tank IBO, SP Asad Zubair among three martyrs in Hangu, police kill two
RAWALPINDI:
Security forces carried out an intelligence operation (IBO) in Tank district and killed eight “khwarij belonging to Indian representative Fitna al Khwarij”, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported in a press release, referring to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
“During the conduct of the operation, our own troops effectively attacked Khwarij locations, and after an intense exchange of fire, eight Indian-sponsored Khwarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR claimed. “Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the slain Khwarij.”
According to the ISPR, the dead terrorists were involved in numerous attacks on security forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as the killing of innocent civilians. He added that a disinfection operation was being carried out to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored Khwarij found in the area.
“The relentless anti-terror campaign under the Azm-e-Istihkam vision (approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue in full swing to eliminate the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR added.
hangu
Hangu police said Superintendent of Police Operations (SP) Asad Zubair, his gunman Dawood and driver Atif were martyred in blasts near Ghalmina check post within Bilyamina police station limits, triggering a massive operation in which two terrorists were killed.
Police officials said the explosion first hit the Ghalmina checkpoint, which was empty at the time and caused no casualties. However, when a police team led by SP Asad Zubair reached the blast site, another explosion occurred.
As a result, SP Zubair, his gunman and his driver were fatally injured, while two other policemen suffered serious injuries. The injured were taken to the Hangu district central hospital, officials said.
Hangu District Police Officer (DPO) Khan Zaib Mohmand confirmed that Asad Zubair of SP Operations and two policemen were martyred when “terrorists carried out a cowardly attack” near Ghalmina check post.
“When SP Asad Zubair and his team reached the spot after the first explosion, a second explosion occurred, leading to the martyrdom of the SP and two security personnel,” he said. “Those responsible for the attack will soon be brought to justice.”
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abbas Majeed also shared similar details while speaking to the media. “Hangu police were carrying out routine patrol and operational duties when terrorists carried out an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion near the checkpoint,” he said.
After the blasts, DPO Mohmand reached the spot with heavy reinforcements and personally led the counter operation. Police cordoned off the area and launched a search in the nearby hills, locating the terrorists within half an hour and engaging in a fierce encounter with them, police sources said.
The terrorists opened indiscriminate fire and the exchange continued for more than 30 minutes. During the firing, two terrorists were killed, while Station House Officer (SHO) Imranuddin was injured, sources added.
DPO Mohmand said the sacrifices of the martyred police officers will continue to be a guiding light for the police force. “The bravery of the Hangu police reflects the national determination to completely eliminate terrorism,” he said.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Hangu police checkpoint. They praised the security forces for their successful counter-terrorism operation and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate India-backed terrorist networks operating against the country.
In their separate statements, the President and Prime Minister expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of police personnel, including SP Asad Zubair, which they said was carried out by Indian-backed terrorists.
President Zardari called the terrorists “enemies of peace and stability” and said their cowardly acts were intolerable. He paid tribute to SP Asad Zubair and other martyred police officers and said the nation was proud of its brave sons who laid down their lives to protect the country. “I salute the determination and courage of the police in the war against terrorism,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also praised the police for their frontline role in the fight against terrorism and reiterated that the government remained determined to eradicate the menace from the country. “We are determined to eradicate terrorism and we will not rest until we eliminate the last terrorist,” he said.
The two leaders also praised the security forces for successfully carrying out the operation in Tank, describing it as a significant achievement in Pakistan’s ongoing counter-terrorism campaign. The operation, they said, had dealt a heavy blow to militants allegedly operating with Indian support.
Zardari, in a separate statement, praised the professionalism and bravery of the security personnel involved in Operation Tank and reaffirmed his full support for the government’s anti-terror campaign, dubbed Operation Azm-e-Istihkam.
He said the nation must continue to support its security institutions to defeat the menace of terrorism once and for all. “The sacrifices made for the peace and stability of Pakistan will not be in vain,” he declared.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, in another message, congratulated the security forces for their “professional skill” during the operation in Tank, which resulted in the death of eight foreign militants linked to India.
Both the president and the prime minister reaffirmed that the State would continue sustained operations against terrorist networks and that the entire nation was united behind its security forces.
They vowed that Pakistan would never allow hostile elements to destabilize the country or undermine its hard-won peace.
(With additional contributions from our reporters at Hangu and DI Khan)
