SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Six terrorists were killed and three injured during separate clashes with security forces across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Monday.

A statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces detected the movement of a group of terrorists, trying to infiltrate the Pak-Afghan border in the Khamrang area of South Waziristan, on the night between Nov 3 and 4.

The forces “effectively engaged” the terrorists and foiled their attempt to infiltrate into Pakistan. They also gunned down five gunmen during an exchange of fire.

“Pakistan has consistently been asking Interim Afghan Government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border,” the statement read, adding that the Kabul administration is “expected to fulfil its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by Khwarij” for perpetrating attacks against Pakistan.

Five gunmen killed trying to cross border from Afghanistan in South Waziristan

The military’s media wing also claimed the killing of another terrorist during an intelligence-based operation in Dasoli area of North Waziristan.

The statement added that security forces “effectively engaged” the terrorists’ location and gunned down Ahmed Shah alias Intizar.

“[The] security forces of Pakistan are determined and remain committed to secure its borders and eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country,” the ISPR statement concluded.

The twin clashes between militants and security forces took place a couple of days after ISPR claimed the killing of four terrorists in South Waziristan.

In a statement on November 2, the military’s media wing said security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Sarwakai area of South Waziristan on the reported presence of terrorists.

As forces closed in on the alleged hideout, the gunmen opened fire. In the ensuing gun battle, four terrorists were killed, it added.

In a similar operation in Baka Khel, Bannu, on October 30, eight terrorists were killed, while three soldiers embraced martyrdom. They were identified as Major Atif Khalil, 31; Naik Azadullah, 36; and Lance Naik Ghazanfar Abbas, 35.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2024