22 terrorists killed in three KP operations

RAWALPINDI: Security forces killed 22 Khwarij while six soldiers were martyred in three separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the last two days (December 6 and 7).

An intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted by the security forces in general area Gul Imam, Tank District, on the reported presence of Khwarij. During the operation, the troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location and nine Khwarij were sent to hell while six got injured.

In another operation conducted by the security forces in North Waziristan District, 10 Khwarij were successfully neutralised.

In the third encounter, security forces thwarted Khwarij attempt to attack a security forces’ post in Thall District and killed three of them. However, during the intense fire exchange, six brave sons of the soil, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat. The martyred soldiers are Naib Subedar Muhammad Khalid Shaheed (age 39, resident of Kohat), Havildar Jadeed Ali Shaheed (age 35, Orakzai district), Lance Naik Vilayat Hussain Shaheed (age 28, Kurram district), Lance Naik Siffatullah Shaheed (age 30, Khyber district), Sepoy Rehman Shaheed (age 27, Kurram district) and Sepoy Nizamuddin Shaheed (age 27, South Waziristan).

Sensitisation of the area is being done to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area. The security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Saturday lauded the officers and personnel of security forces for the successful operations against Khawarij terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.