DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Seven terrorists were killed in two separate operations in Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday, the military’s media wing said in a statement.

The first operation was conducted in Daraban on the reported presence of terrorists in the area.

During the operation, the troops “effectively engaged” the terrorists at their hideout and killed four of them, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Two terrorists were injured in the operation, according to sources.

The second encounter took place in the Maddi area, where three terrorists were killed. ISPR said security forces also seized weapons and ammunition from the possession of terrorists, who were “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area”.

Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area, the statement added.

Last Friday, security forces claimed to have killed six terrorists in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Karak district.

Police action

Separately, police killed three “high-profile terrorists” during an IBO near the Qalandar Khad area of D.I. Khan.

An intense exchange of fire took place during the police operation, as terrorists were armed with sophisticated weapons, the officials said. They added that a large quantity of ammunition was also recovered following the operation.

A few wanted terrorists suffered injuries but managed to flee, the police said.

Later, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the successful operations, expressing the resolve that security forces would continue the operations “till complete elimination of terrorism”.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2025