Canada Global (Web News) The security forces killed 13 terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in South Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported on Wednesday.
According to a statement by the military’s media wing, the operation was conducted last night in the Sararogha area following reports of militant presence.
“During the operation, our troops effectively targeted the Khawarij hideout, resulting in the elimination of 13 Khawarij,” the ISPR stated.
The statement added that the neutralized terrorists had been actively involved in numerous attacks against security forces and the killing of innocent civilians.
A sanitization operation is currently underway to clear the area of any remaining Khawarij, reaffirming Pakistan’s security forces’ commitment to eradicating terrorism from the country, the ISPR further noted.
Terrorist activities have surged in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which share borders with Afghanistan, frequently targeting law enforcement and security forces.
On December 21, a group of terrorists attempted to attack a security forces checkpoint in the Makeen area of South Waziristan tribal district.
The Pakistan Army successfully repelled the attack, though it came at a significant cost, with 16 soldiers martyred in the confrontation.
According to the ISPR, the troops effectively countered the attempt, eliminating eight militants during the exchange of fire.
Earlier on the same day, a Pakistan Army soldier was martyred, and four terrorists were killed when security forces foiled an infiltration attempt at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan has faced a surge in terrorist activities since the Taliban assumed power in neighboring Afghanistan, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan being the most affected regions.
A report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) highlighted a sharp rise in violence during the third quarter of 2024 (July-September), with fatalities from terrorist attacks and counter-terror operations increasing by 90%.
During this period, 722 individuals—including civilians, security personnel, and militants—lost their lives, while 615 others sustained injuries in 328 recorded incidents.
The total number of fatalities in the first three quarters of 2024 has exceeded the entire toll for 2023.
