Security forces wipe out 29 terrorists in precision retaliation

ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed 29 militants on Sunday in intelligence-based ground action and precision strikes carried out under Operation Ghazb Lil Haq after recent attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and on a Pakistan Rangers camp in Karachi.

In a post on X, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the action targeted hideouts and safe havens of militants linked to Jamaat ul Ahrar and Fitna al Khwarij along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. He said an intelligence-based operation in Bajaur district on Sunday killed a commander identified as Khan Farosh alias Zabal along with three other militants associated with Jamaat ul Ahrar, while several others were injured.

Tarar said that, as part of the continuation of Operation Ghazb Lil Haq and on the basis of what he described as credible intelligence, Pakistan also carried out overnight precision strikes between June 28 and 29 against camps and hideouts used by Jamaat ul Ahrar and Fitna al Khwarij in the border region. According to the minister, three targets in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar were destroyed, 25 militants were killed, and stores of weapons and ammunition at those sites were also destroyed.

He said Pakistan had consistently sought peace and stability in the region but would not compromise on the protection of its citizens. Tarar added that the country’s counterterrorism campaign under Azm-e-Istehkam would continue at full pace against what he called foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism.

Karachi Rangers camp attack

The strikes came hours after the Inter-Services Public Relations said retaliatory operations would be carried out against those behind the attack on the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) camp in Karachi in response to the killing of Rangers personnel.

According to the military’s media wing, militants identified by the ISPR as belonging to Jamaat ul Ahrar attacked a Rangers camp in Gulistan-e-Jauhar late on Saturday. After an explosion at the main gate, the attackers tried to breach the perimeter, but Rangers personnel repelled the assault, killing three militants and capturing another attacker in an injured condition. The captured suspect was identified by the ISPR as an Afghan national.

The ISPR said three Rangers personnel were martyred in the exchange of fire and four others were injured. It added that sanitisation operations were continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining militants.

Official reactions

The ISPR said Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir offered condolences to the families of the slain personnel and said their sacrifices strengthened the country’s resolve to protect the nation.

Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the Karachi attack and paid tribute to the Rangers personnel who were killed. In separate statements, they praised the force for thwarting the assault.

"The nation would never forget the sacrifices of its brave soldiers in the fight against terrorism," President Zardari said in a statement issued by the President Secretariat.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said the Rangers had once again shown professionalism, courage and commitment to duty by foiling what he described as a cowardly terrorist attack. Reaffirming that the blood of the martyrs would not go in vain, he said every form of terrorism would be dealt with firmly and added that Fitna al-Hindustan and its patrons would not succeed in their objectives.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack and paid tribute to the three Rangers personnel who were killed while confronting the assailants. Naqvi, who arrived in Karachi on Sunday, attended the funeral prayers for the slain personnel and also visited the site of the attack.

"Those involved in terrorism, wherever they may be, will be pursued by the security forces and brought to justice," Naqvi said.