- IBO conducted on reported presence of terrorists: ISPR.
- Killed terrorists remained actively involved in terror attack.
- “Security forces determined to wipe out menace of terrorism.”
A Pakistan Army soldier embraced martyrdom and 12 terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district, the military’s media wing said on Thursday.
A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said: “On February 5-6, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Hassan Khel, North Waziristan District on the reported presence of khwarij.”
“During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and resultantly 12 khwarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR added.
However, during the exchange of fire, Lance Naik Muhammad Ibrahim, 34, a resident of District Hangu “fought gallantly” and was martyred.
“Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as target killing of innocent civilians.”
Sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists, the military’s media wing added.
“Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” it concluded.
The operation is part of a sustained counter-terrorism effort as the country witnessed a surge in violent attacks since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The year 2024 turned out to be the deadliest for Pakistan’s civil and military security forces in a decade with at least 685 fatalities and 444 terror attacks, according to “CRSS Annual Security Report 2024” issued by Centre for Security and Strategic Studies.
Equally alarming were the cumulative losses of civilians and security personnel, i.e., 1,612 fatalities, accounting for over 63% of the total recorded this year, marking 73% more losses compared to 934 outlaws eliminated, The News reported citing CRSS report.
The overall fatalities recorded the previous year were a record 9-year high and over 66% more than in 2023. On average, nearly seven people lost their lives daily, with November emerging as the deadliest month across all metrics, compared to all other months of the year.
The violence took the heaviest toll on KP which topped in human losses with 1,616 fatalities, followed by Balochistan with 782 fatalities. In 2024, the country suffered 2,546 violence-linked fatalities and 2,267 injuries among civilians, security personnel and outlaws.
This tally of casualties stemmed from 1,166 incidents of terror attacks and counter-terror operations, marking a grim year for the country’s security landscape.
