Terrorist Killed in North Waziristan IBO: ISPR

North Waziristan, July 26, 2024 — A terrorist was killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) by security forces in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced in a statement on Friday. The operation was launched in response to reports of militant presence in the area.

According to the ISPR, the operation took place on July 26, 2024, targeting a known terrorist hideout. “Khawarji terrorist Razzaq was sent to hell” after a fierce exchange of gunfire with security forces, the statement read. Razzaq was identified as a close associate of Khawarji Gul Bahadur and had been involved in numerous terrorist activities in the region.

Razzaq’s criminal activities included the assassination of Malik Sher Muhammad, grandson of the renowned Faqir of Ippi, on January 6, 2023. He was also responsible for facilitating a suicide bombing in North Waziristan on March 16, 2024, which resulted in the martyrdom of seven Pakistani soldiers.

Following the operation, a sanitisation mission was initiated to clear the area of any remaining terrorists. The ISPR reiterated the commitment of Pakistan’s security forces to eliminate terrorism and maintain peace in the country.

The operation in North Waziristan is part of a broader campaign against terrorism in Pakistan. A day prior, security forces conducted another successful IBO in Balochistan’s Hoshab district, resulting in the death of a terrorist after an intense gunfight. Earlier in the week, three terrorists were killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dir district as they attempted to infiltrate Pakistan from Afghanistan.

The federal government recently approved a strategic campaign, “Azm-e-Istehkam,” to combat the rising tide of terrorism. This renewed national anti-terror drive comes in response to an increase in terrorist attacks and cross-border infiltration, particularly in KP and Balochistan.

The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) Annual Security Report for the second quarter of 2024 revealed alarming statistics: 380 fatalities and 220 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and militants due to 240 incidents of terrorism and counter-terror operations. The report highlighted that KP and Balochistan, both bordering Afghanistan, bore the brunt of these attacks, accounting for nearly 92% of all fatalities and 87% of the attacks. Specifically, KP suffered 67% of the fatalities, while Balochistan accounted for 25%.

Pakistan has repeatedly called on the interim Afghan administration in Kabul to prevent militant groups from using Afghan soil for attacks against Pakistan. The increase in terrorist activities underscores the need for continued vigilance and robust counter-terrorism efforts to ensure the safety and security of the nation.