PESHAWAR, October 6: Pakistan’s security forces killed five militants and wounded two others during an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan on Tuesday, security sources said.
The operation targeted suspected militant hideouts in North Waziristan and surrounding areas, according to security sources.
The sources described the militants as “India-backed terrorists”. They did not provide further details about their identities or affiliations.
Security forces said they remain committed to eliminating militant threats and restoring lasting peace in the region.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the forces for the operation.
Zardari said timely security operations were helping prevent militant groups from carrying out their plans.
He said operations against what the government calls Fitna al-Khawarij would continue until terrorism is eliminated.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also praised the security forces for disrupting militant activities. He said the government would continue efforts to eliminate terrorism.
Recent Operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The North Waziristan operation followed several recent counterterrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Security forces reported killing four militants during an intelligence-based operation in Dera Ismail Khan on Monday.
Earlier, forces reported killing seven militants in North Waziristan on October 2.
Security forces also reported several other operations in KP during September.
The operations come under the government’s Azm-e-Istehkam security strategy.
Mehfil-e-Samaa in Karachi Highlights Peace, Love and Tolerance
Militancy Reaches 12-Year High
Pakistan has faced a sharp rise in militant violence in recent months.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the country recorded 225 militant attacks in September.
The figure was 13.1% higher than the 199 attacks recorded in August. It was also the highest monthly total in 12 years.
The attacks killed 259 people and injured 242 others, according to PICSS.
PICSS said security forces conducted 74 notable counterterrorism operations during September. Those operations resulted in 280 militant deaths, according to the research organisation.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused militant groups of using safe havens in Afghanistan to plan attacks inside the country.
The Afghan Taliban authorities have rejected such accusations.
The latest North Waziristan operation comes amid continuing security challenges along Pakistan’s western border.
