Pakistan Intensifies Bannu Offensive, 24 Militants Killed

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces killed 24 terrorists in Bannu district during the last 24 hours, said an official press release.

The massive military operation was launched following an upsurge in Taliban led violence in Bannu district.

“Accordingly in last twenty-four hours following the fierce fire exchanges in Bannu district and adjoining areas, twenty-four khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna Al Khwarij have been sent to hell.

“In the backdrop of recent surge in terrorist activities against Police and vehicle borne suicide bombing in Bannu District, in which Indian Proxy Fitna Al-Khwarij targeted Law Enforcement Agencies and innocent civilians, Security Forces have initiated extensive joint intelligence-based operations to hunt the perpetrators of these heinous attacks and their support infrastructure.

Weapons and ammunition have also been recovered from killedKhwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities and killing of innocent civilians.

The operations in the area would continue and perpetrators of these heinous and cowardly act will be brought to justice, as the relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision “Azm-e-Istehkam” (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

Following the attacks Pakistani security forces in coordination with the law enforcement agencies launched the operation to track down the terrorists, prevent their regrouping and dismantle their network in the areas.

Military authorities said that the operation is part of a massive effort to get rid of terrorists in the area based on intelligence received by the higher authorities.
The officials said that the operation would continue until terrorist networks are destroyed in the area.

It added that the ongoing campaign is being conducted under the national counterterrorism framework of Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, with the objective of eliminating militant networks and foreign-sponsored terrorism across the country.

The Pakistani military has engaged in a massive counterinsurgency operation in the border regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the last two decades. It all started after the US invasion of Afghanistan and formation of an umbrella organization which goes by the name of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. Pakistani Taliban are getting assistance from Indian intelligence by way of link with Afghan Taliban who act as a middleman in the equation.

The recent upsurge in violence in border areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa started after the Afghan Taliban took control of Kabul following American withdrawal from Afghanistan.