Security forces kill 23 terrorists in sweeping KP IBOs over 48 hours: ISPR

• Wanted terrorists’ ringleader Jan Meer alias Toor Saqib among slain terrorists: military media wing

• Weapons, IEDs and underground militant tunnels destroyed during operations

• Military vows Azm-e-Istehkam campaign will continue until militancy is eradicated

 RAWALPINDI: Security forces killed at least 23 terrorists belonging to the Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij during a series of intelligence-based operations conducted over the past 48 hours in multiple areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Thursday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces intensified intelligence-based operations in terrorist strongholds, including Datta Khel, Spinwam and Bannu, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and eliminate security threats based on credible intelligence inputs.

The ISPR said troops engaged several terrorist hideouts during fierce encounters, resulting in the killing of 23 militants, including wanted ringleader Jan Meer alias Toor Saqib.

“Following intense and fierce exchanges of fire, 23 more khawarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij, including kharji ringleader Jan Meer alias Toor Saqib, have been neutralised,” the statement said, adding the operations dealt a “significant blow” to terrorist networks operating in the region.

According to the military, Jan Meer carried a government-announced head money and was wanted for involvement in multiple terrorist attacks targeting security personnel and civilians.

Security forces also recovered weapons, ammunition and a large cache of explosives, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs), from the militants. During subsequent sanitisation operations, troops uncovered and destroyed underground tunnels and bunkers allegedly used by terrorists.

The ISPR reiterated that sanitisation operations would continue under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Apex Committee of the National Action Plan in June 2024 to eliminate terrorism and extremism nationwide.

The Apex Committee of the National Action Plan had approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam in June 2024 to eliminate terrorism and extremism across the country, aiming to eradicate militancy decisively and comprehensively.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for successfully foiling the designs of “Indian-sponsored terrorists,” saying intelligence-based operations would continue until terrorism was completely eradicated.

According to a statement, Naqvi commended the professional capabilities of security forces for eliminating 23 Indian-sponsored militants during recent operations.

“Security forces demonstrated timely and effective action, foiling the nefarious designs of Indian-sponsored terrorists,” the interior minister said, while paying tribute to the security forces for sending the militants to their “logical end”.

“Intelligence-based operations will continue until the complete elimination of Indian-sponsored terrorism,” the minister said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari also commended the forces for the successful operations and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Operation Azm-e-Istehkam.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed a sharp rise in militant violence since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2022, particularly targeting security forces and police.

According to a recent report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, 85 verified terrorist attacks were recorded in April compared to 146 in March, reflecting a 42 percent decline. Fatalities from such attacks also dropped from 106 to 60 during the same period, though overall conflict-related deaths still stood at 291 in April, including militants, civilians and security personnel.