ISLAMABAD: Two militants and one soldier were killed in separate gunbattles in northwestern Pakistan, the military’s media wing said on Sunday, days after the government announced a fresh, comprehensive operation to eliminate militancy from the country.
On Friday, Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC), comprising senior civilian leaders and the military’s top brass, announced launching a comprehensive, all-out security operation to eradicate militants from the country.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Pakistani Taliban have stepped up attacks in the South Asian country after a fragile truce between militants and the state, brokered by the Afghan Taliban, broke down last year. On Saturday, a roadside bomb killed two soldiers in northwest Pakistan while one police officer was killed and two others were injured in a hand grenade attack the same day in the northwestern city of Swabi.
The TTP is a separate entity but has pledged allegiance to the Afghan Taliban. The group has carried out some of the most vicious attacks on Pakistani civilians and security forces over the past decade-and-a-half, as it seeks to impose its strict version of Islam in the country.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said militants and security forces exchanged fire in the tribal area of Razmak in North Waziristan on Saturday.
“Resultantly, 1 x terrorist was sent to hell,” the ISPR said. “Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorist.”
It added that another militant was killed in a gunbattle in South Waziristan district’s Karama area. “However, during intense exchange of fire, Naik Fazal Janan (age 32 years, resident of District Hangu) having fought gallantly, embraced shahadat,” the military’s media wing said.
The army said the entire area was being searched to eliminate any other militants found.
“Pakistan’s Security Forces are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” it added.