Security forces and law enforcement agencies neutralised at least 22 India-sponsored terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on April 21, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.
According to the military’s media wing, the joint operation was conducted in response to the reported presence of India-backed militants, also known as Fitna al-Khawarij.
It added that during the operation, the terrorists resorted to indiscriminate firing out of panic and in an attempt to avoid capture. As a result, a 10-year-old innocent child was martyred.
The ISPR added that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed India-sponsored terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.
“Sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji found in the area,” the ISPR said, adding that the relentless counter-terrorism campaign under vision “Azm-e-Istehkam” will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
“Such sacrifices of our innocent civilians further strengthen our resolve.”
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday paid tribute to the security forces for killing 22 terrorists of Fitna Al-Khawarij during a joint intelligence-based operation in Khyber district.
In separate statements, both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to continue the fight against terrorism until its complete elimination from the country. President Zardari stated that terrorists were attempting to undermine Pakistan’s leadership efforts to ensure lasting peace in the region.
“We will defeat terrorism and continue to play a leading role in maintaining peace in the region and across the world,” the president said. He also expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of a 10-year-old child during the operation and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed sorrow over the child’s martyrdom, which occurred as a result of unprovoked firing by the terrorists. Strongly condemning the act, the prime minister prayed for strength and patience for the grieving family.
“The cowardly terrorists’ unprovoked firing, carried out in an attempt to save themselves, which resulted in the martyrdom of a child, is an irreparable crime against humanity,” he added.