A series of security operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have led to the death of 15 terrorists, including a prominent commander, Pakistan Army officer, as stated by the military’s media wing on December 27. The operations focused on North and South Waziristan and surrounding areas, aimed at neutralising terrorist threats.
The first operation took place in the Jani Khel area of Bannu district after reports indicated terrorist activity. During the intelligence-based operation (IBO), security forces engaged terrorists, killing two in the crossfire. The second operation occurred in North Waziristan’s Datta Khel tehsil, where an intense firefight led to the deaths of five terrorists.
Major Muhammad Awais, who was leading his troops from the front, embraced martyrdom during the exchange of fire. “Major Muhammad Awais, a brave officer, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. Major Awais, a 31-year-old officer from District Narowal, was a key figure in the operation. The operation in North Waziristan came after reports of suspicious movements in the region, which led to the dispatch of a search party around 1:15 pm. Upon approaching the target area, the party came under attack, resulting in five terrorists being killed, and eight others injured.
According to the media reports, the terrorists as members of the banned Hafiz Gul Bahadur group. A third operation in South Waziristan led to the death of six more terrorists, with another eight being injured during confrontations. The ISPR emphasised that sanitisation operations are ongoing in the region, focusing on eliminating any remaining terrorists. “Such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the military stated.
In a separate incident, security forces launched an airstrike in South Waziristan’s Birmal tehsil on Wednesday night, targeting a house in the Manra area where local commander Noor Muhammad and another terrorist were killed. The two men were reportedly involved in attacks on security forces, police, and civilians. The strike was likened to a drone strike by local authorities.
Meanwhile, more than 140 families from Upper South Waziristan were temporarily displaced due to a clearance operation planned by the security forces. The displaced persons primarily belong to the Mehsud tribe and were forced to leave their homes in Dashka, Zarif Khel, and Aba Khel villages. Although the displaced families found temporary shelter in empty houses owned by other tribesmen near Makin bazaar, there were no official provisions from the district administration or the Provincial Disaster Management Authority.
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