ISLAMABAD: Pakistan security forces on Thursday killed four terrorists in two separate intelligence-based engagements in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bringing the total number of terrorists killed across the country this week to 19, the military's media wing said in a statement.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that on the night of June 3/4, four terrorists belonging to what it called the “Indian-sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij” were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Pakistan uses the term "Khwarij" to describe the terrorist outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) because the word refers to a historical sect that rebelled against legitimate authority and was known for declaring other Muslims apostates and using violence against them. By using this label, Pakistan seeks to portray such terrorist groups as religiously deviant, illegitimate, and outside mainstream Islam.
The statement added that an intelligence-based operation was conducted by security forces in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During the operation, two terrorists were killed.
Separately, in Mohmand district, another two terrorists were killed in what it said was an ensuing skillful engagement.
“Weapons and ammunition have also been recovered from the killed Indian-sponsored Khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area,” the statement said.
It added that the operation is continuing to eliminate terrorists hiding in the area as part of Pakistan's ongoing counterterrorism campaign, Azm-e-Istehkam, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.
Earlier this week, Pakistan security forces killed 17 terrorists during a series of intelligence-led operations across several districts of southwestern Balochistan province.
According to the military media, security forces conducted a series of operations in Mastung, Nushki, Zehri, Khuzdar, and Kech districts of Balochistan province.
Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate terrorist threats from across the country and beyond was reinforced by Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Andrabi, who stated: “No responsible state can remain passive when its civilians and security forces are repeatedly targeted.”
He made these remarks while addressing a weekly media briefing in Islamabad earlier today. Andrabi stated that Pakistan reserves the right to take “all necessary measures” to “safeguard the lives and property of our nationals, based on the principles of necessity and as a measure of last resort,” according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
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