Pakistan forces kill 23 terrorists in sanitization operation in North Waziristan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's security forces killed 23 terrorists during a sanitization operation in the Shewa area of North Waziristan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military's media wing said in a statement on Monday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation began on May 17, following credible intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists in the area.

Security forces killed the terrorists affiliated with what the military described as "Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khwarij" after an intense exchange of fire over 24 hours.

Pakistan officially refers to the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan as "Fitna al-Khwarij," a term used by the state to underscore the group's extremist ideology and delegitimize its actions.

The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists, who it said had been actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the region.

The military said the sanitization operation remains underway, with the area cordoned off by security forces.

It added that the evidence indicated that the terrorists had coerced and intimidated local residents, forcing them to provide safe passage and using them as human shields.

"Such deplorable acts are highly condemnable, and no justification can rationalize the endangerment of civilian lives," the ISPR said.

The military said the operation is continuing to eliminate terrorists hiding in the area as part of Pakistan's ongoing counterterrorism campaign under "Azm-e-Istehkam," approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.

It said the campaign by security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue at full pace to eliminate what it described as foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

Pakistan has intensified its counter-terrorism operations against terrorist outfits. 
 

Last week, at least seven terrorists were killed during a military operation in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps Balochistan commenced an area sanitization operation at general area Nosham of Barkhan District to eliminate terrorists of "Indian-backed Fitna al-Hindustan," according to the ISPR.