17 dead in intensified drive against terrorists across KP, Balochistan

• PM commends security forces, rules out talks with anti-state elements
• ISPR says IBOs will continue until all culprits brought to justice
KHYBER / QUETTA: At least 17 terrorists were killed in gun battles that erupted during intelligence-based operations (IBOs) carried out in various parts of Khyber Pakh­tunkhwa and Balochistan on Friday, the military said.
In the wake of horrendous terror strikes in Balochistan earlier this week leaving scores dead, security forces have intensified actions against terrorism.
An IBO was carried out in Tirah valley of Khyber district on Friday on the reported presence of terrorists in the area, said an ISPR statement.
Officials said that security forces, also consisting of the Special Ser­vices Group and light commandoes, boxed the terrorists in Tirah. “They were encircled. The area where the IBO was conducted, also leads to districts Kurram and Orakzai,” they said.
The security forces effectively eng­aged the terrorists’ locations and during an intense exchange of fire 12 terrorists were killed, the military said.
The ISPR said the operation, underway since Aug 20, resulted into a major setback to terrorists and its affiliates, adding that during the last 10 days, 37 terrorists were killed and 14 others suffered serious injuries.
In Balochistan, five terrorists were killed and three injured in operations carried out by security forces in Panjgur, Kech and Zhob districts.
The ISPR said that three IBOs were conducted in Kech, Panjgur and Zhob district late on Thursday night in which “five terrorists were sent to hell by the security forces, while three terrorists got injured during the intense fire exchange”.
The ISPR said, “These operations were carried out in response to terrorist attacks conducted by the terrorist outfits on Aug 26 in Balochistan.” The sanitisation operations would continue until all perpetrators, facilitators, and abettors of these atrocious acts are brought to justice”.
PM praises forces
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while addressing a cabinet meeting in Islamabad reaffirmed the government’s resolve to root out terrorism.
He vowed to make terrorists an example for their recent spate of attacks in the country, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PM Shehbaz paid tribute to the officers and personnel for killing the terrorists. “The war against terrorists will continue till complete elimination of this scourge,” he added.
He apprised the cabinet about his visit to Quetta the previous day, highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies, such as the police and Levies.
The prime minister said that the Balochistan government and political leaders unanimously believe that any talks with anti-state elements were out of the question.
He said family members of martyrs were in high morale.
Syed Irfan Raza in Islamabad also contributed to this report
Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2024