As many as 24 Indian-sponsored terrorists were eliminated during intelligence-based operations launched jointly by the security forces and law-enforcement agencies’ personnel in Bannu, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
According to an ISPR statement released on Friday, the intelligence-based operations were carried out during the last 24 hours in response to recent terrorist attacks by Indian proxy Fitna al-Khwarij in Bannu.
The operations were launched "in the backdrop of a recent surge in terrorist activities against police and vehicle-borne suicide bombing in Bannu District, in which Indian proxy Fitna Al-Khwarij targeted law-enforcement agencies and innocent civilians", the ISPR statement said.
"Security forces had initiated extensive joint intelligence-based operations to hunt the perpetrators of these heinous attacks and their support infrastructure," it added.
The military's media wing said, "In the last 24 hours following the fierce fire exchanges in Bannu district and adjoining areas, 24 khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna Al-Khwarij were killed".
The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed Khwarij, who "remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities and the killing of innocent civilians".
"The operations in the area will continue and perpetrators of these heinous and cowardly acts will be brought to justice, as the relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under the vision “Azm-e-Istehkam” (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country," the statement concluded.
President, PM pay tribute to security forces
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday paid tribute to the security forces and law enforcement agencies for killing 24 Indian-backed Fitna al Khawarij terrorists during a successful intelligence-based operation in Bannu and nearby areas.
In separate statements, the president and the prime minister said the security forces’ timely and effective action against the elements responsible for attacks on police personnel and innocent civilians, particularly in Bannu, was commendable.
“The operations against Fitna al Khawarij and their facilitators working under Indian patronage will be taken to their logical conclusion,” the president said, adding that the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the security forces and law enforcement agencies.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said eliminating terrorists and their facilitators remained the government’s top priority.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to foil the nefarious designs of Indian-backed terrorist elements and bring those involved in attacks on security personnel and civilians to justice.
Mohsin Naqvi praises security forces
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the security forces for their successful operations against terrorists affiliated with Fitna-ul-Hindustan in Bannu and adjoining areas.
In a statement, he praised the professionalism, bravery and courage of the security forces in the killing of 24 terrorists in Bannu and said that the operations of the forces for establishing peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are commendable.
Mohsin Naqvi said intelligence-based operations against terrorists are indispensable for peace and stability.
Officers and soldiers of security forces are the crown of our heads and the real heroes, Mohsin Naqvi said.
He said the entire nation is proud of the brave soldiers who wiped out Indian-sponsored terrorists.
The success of the Bannu operation is a clear proof of the determination to cleanse the homeland from the scourge of terrorism, Mohsin Naqvi said.
Reporters Ahmad Mansoor and Awais Kiyani