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Pakistani forces killed 72 militants in 5 days near Afghan border areas

By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD- Pakistan’s security forces have stepped up their counterterrorism campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” initiative, eliminating at least 72 militants linked to the Indian-sponsored network Fitna Al-Khwarij in multiple intelligence-based operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past five days, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The latest engagements took place on 19 November, when 23 militants were killed in two separate operations in Kurram District. Troops raided reported militant hideouts and, following intense fire exchanges, neutralized 12 militants in the first clash and 11 more in the second, ISPR said on Wednesday.

A day earlier, military operations across Mohmand, Lakki Marwat and Tank districts resulted in the killing of seven militants between 18–19 November. These engagements followed precise intelligence on militant movements in the province.

On 17–18 November, four militants were killed in Bajaur, North Waziristan and Dera Ismail Khan districts. Security forces also seized weapons and ammunition from those “actively involved in terrorist activities,” the military said.

Similarly, on 16–17 November, 23 militants, including a key ringleader identified as Sajjad alias Abuzar, were killed in Bajaur and Bannu districts during raids against another cluster of the same terror outfit.

The renewed push began on 15–16 November, when 15 militants were killed in Kulachi (Dera Ismail Khan) and Datta Khel (North Waziristan). Another ringleader, Alam Mehsud, was among those neutralized, ISPR added.

Security forces and law enforcement agencies have launched extensive area sanitization operations following the engagements to prevent regrouping of remnants of the group.

The ISPR reaffirmed that Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations will continue “at full pace” as part of the Federal Apex Committee-approved National Action Plan, with the goal of eliminating foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism threatening national peace and security