BANNU/RAWALPINDI:
Security forces on Monday killed three terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij in two separate operations in North Waziristan and Tank districts, while five policemen were injured on the same day in an armed attack on the convoy of North Waziristan District Police Officers (DPO) near Bannu, officials said.
The incidents come amid the continuing terror threat in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa border belt, where cross-border infiltration attempts and targeted attacks on security personnel have intensified in recent months.
The DPO narrowly escaped the attack, which came amid intense security operations across KP.
According to Bannu Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan, gunmen opened fire on the North Waziristan DPO vehicle. He said the attack occurred on Miranshah Road, a key link between Bannu and North Waziristan, but confirmed that the DPO was unharmed.
“The unidentified attackers have hidden in nearby areas and a search operation is underway. [to trace them]”, said.
According to police sources, DPO Waqar Khan was traveling from North Waziristan to Bannu with his security team when the assailants, lying in wait, opened fire with automatic and heavy weapons.
The police retaliated with precision and bravery, forcing the attackers to flee after suffering heavy casualties.
Thanks to the DPO’s armored vehicle and the reinforced protection of the patrol cars that accompanied it, a great tragedy was avoided. The injured police officers were immediately taken to the district central hospital, where they received medical assistance.
Following the attack, Bannu police launched a large-scale search operation in the area, involving the Quick Response Force (QRF), Rapid Response Force (RRF) and armored personnel carriers (APC).
Later, DIG Bannu Region Sajjad Khan and DPO Waqar Khan visited the injured officers and directed doctors to ensure the best possible treatment. The DIG and DPO condemned the cowardly act and stated that such attacks cannot weaken the resolve of the police force.
“The police remain steadfast in their mission to protect the lives and property of citizens,” they stated, promising that every such act of terrorism will receive a firm response.
They reaffirmed their commitment to restoring and maintaining peace and order in the region using all available resources.
The attack came as security forces reported a series of successful counter-terrorism operations across KP, highlighting persistent terrorist activity in the region bordering Afghanistan.
Terrorists eliminated
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), at least three terrorists were killed in two separate operations in North Waziristan and Tank districts on Monday.
“Security forces detected the movement of a group of Khwarij, off general area of Esham, North Waziristan district, who were attempting to infiltrate across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border,” the ISPR said in a statement.
The army’s media wing said the troops “effectively engaged the group of Khwarij. As a result of precise and skillful engagement, two Khwarij belonging to the Indian representative, Fitna al Khwarij, were sent to hell.”
The statement said one of the slain terrorists was identified as Qasim, an Afghan national who had served in the Afghan Border Police. In another Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) in Tank district, security forces killed another terrorist, identified as Ikramuddin alias Abu Dajana, also an Afghan national.
“These incidents reveal the continued involvement of Afghan nationals in numerous terrorist activities against innocent civilians and security forces inside Pakistan,” the ISPR said.
He added that Pakistan “has been repeatedly asking the Afghan Interim Government to ensure effective border management on its side of the border and is expected to fulfill its obligations and deny Khwarij’s use of Afghan soil and the involvement of its citizens in terrorism inside Pakistan.”
The army reiterated that Pakistan’s security forces remain “resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation’s borders.”
A remediation operation has been launched in the area to remove any “further Indian-sponsored Kharji”, the ISPR said.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for their successful counter-terrorism operations in North Waziristan and Tank districts, which resulted in the death of three terrorists belonging to the Fitna al-Khawarij group.
The President praised the forces for foiling the attempted infiltration of terrorists into Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. “Defeating the Indian-backed Fitna al-Khawarij is vital for the peace and stability of Pakistan,” he said, paying tribute to the troops for their “timely and effective action.”
He added that the nation “takes pride in its armed forces for thwarting the enemy’s malicious designs.”
He reiterated that under the Azm-e-Istehkam initiative, operations would continue until complete elimination of terrorism.
“Pakistan will never compromise its defense, its sovereignty or its security,” President Zardari stressed, praying that “the Almighty protects our beloved homeland from terrorism and all forms of discord.”
The prime minister praised security personnel for their bravery and professionalism and described the operations as a reflection of the nation’s “unwavering resolve” to eliminate terrorism in all its forms.
“The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with our security forces in their resolve for Azm-e-Istehkam and in the fight against terrorism,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said in a statement.
He reaffirmed that Pakistan remained determined to “eradicate the scourge of terrorism in every corner of the country.”
