NORTH WAZIRISTAN: A terrorist commander along with his three accomplices was killed during an operation near the boundary of North and South Waziristan tribal districts on Sunday.

The military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), termed Commander Ihsan Ullah alias Ihsan Sanray’s killing a major “breakthrough” and said that he along with his three accomplices was killed during an intelligence-based operation in the Ghariom area.

Official sources told Dawn that when security forces raided a hideout of terrorists in the area they came under attack, triggering an exchange of fire between troops and the terrorists. The sources said the terrorists hiding in the compound also hurled hand grenades at the raiding team, but the security forces remained safe, while the four terrorists were killed in the firing.

The ISPR said Sanray was wanted to security forces for his involvement in numerous terrorist activities. More recently he was involved in planning and execution of terror attacks in Shaktu area in which several soldiers and officers including Lt Nasir and Capt Sabih embraced martyrdom.

Lt Nasir was a graduate of Royal Military Academy, Australia. He embraced martyrdom in South Waziristan on September 3.

Security forces have intensified intelligence-based operations against militants in North Waziristan and South Waziristan in the wake of frequent terrorist attacks in these areas. Only last week, five terrorist were killed in North Waziristan. Waseem Zakeria, a mastermind of terror attacks, along with his four accomplices was gunned down during an intelligence-based operation on September 7.

The ISPR statement claimed that 10 notorious terrorists were also arrested during the operation. Waseem was mastermind of 30 attacks including targeted killing of government officials and security forces.

On Sunday, ISPR DG tweeted: “In a major breakthrough, terrorist commander Ihsan Ullah alias Ihsan Sanray along with 3 other terrorists killed during an Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) today in Ghariom, Shaktu near the inter district boundary of North and South Waziristan. Ihsan Sanray masterminded.”

“..numerous terrorist activities. More recently he was involved in planning and execution of terrorist attacks in Shaktu area which led to martyrdom of several soldiers & offrs including Lt Nasir (Shaheed) and Capt Sabih (Shaheed).”

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2020