Security forces kill 22 terrorists in North Waziristan operation: ISPR

Security forces killed 22 terrorists during an ongoing sanitisation operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was launched on May 17 in the general area of Shewa after security forces received credible intelligence reports regarding the presence of terrorists.

“During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged khwarij location and after an intense exchange of fire, twenty-two khwarij, belonging to the Indian-sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij, have been sent to hell in the last 24 hours,” the ISPR said.

It added that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain terrorists, who were allegedly involved in multiple terrorist activities in the area.

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The military said the area had been cordoned off and a sanitisation operation was continuing to eliminate any remaining terrorists.

The ISPR further claimed that the terrorists had coerced and intimidated local residents, using them as human shields to secure safe passage.

“Such deplorable acts are highly condemnable, and no justification can rationalise the endangerment of public lives,” it added.

The military said Pakistan’s counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, would continue “at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.”