Five terrorists killed in North Waziristan operation

Security forces killed five terrorists and wounded two others during an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan, security sources said on Tuesday.

The operation was conducted after security personnel monitored the movement of suspected militants and tracked their hideouts in North Waziristan and nearby areas. The forces then carried out a targeted action against the militants.

The state refers to members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as Fitna al-Khawarij.

Security sources said the operation was part of continued efforts to eliminate terrorism and restore lasting peace under the Azm-e-Istehkam framework. They reaffirmed that security forces would continue intelligence-based operations against militant networks.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for the successful operation. The president said timely action by the forces helped prevent terrorist groups from carrying out their plans.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said operations against militants would continue until terrorism was completely eliminated. He described lasting peace and the eradication of terrorism as key national priorities.

Pakistan has faced a rise in militant attacks in recent months, with security personnel and civilians among those killed in several incidents.

Last week, a blast at a joint security checkpoint near Aman Mela in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan killed 12 people and injured 35 others. The TTP claimed responsibility for the attack.

On September 19, a bombing at a mosque in Kohat’s Police Lines during Friday prayers killed 23 people, including 15 police personnel. Eight terrorists were later killed during a clearance operation. An Afghanistan-based militant group led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur subsequently claimed responsibility.

Security forces have also conducted several operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in recent weeks, killing militants and suffering casualties during clashes.