ISLAMABAD: Five militants and a Pakistani policeman were killed in three military operations in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the Pakistani army said on Monday.
The northwestern Pakistani province, which borders Afghanistan, has been the scene of a number of attacks on police, security forces and anti-polio vaccination teams in recent weeks.
In a joint intelligence-based operation, three militants were gunned down in KP’s Mohmand district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army’s media wing. However, an exchange of gunfire with militants left Police Constable Abrar Hussain dead.
“During the conduct of the operation, terrorists’ hideout was also busted and a cache of arms, ammunition and explosives was recovered,” the ISPR said in a statement.
In the second operation in Dera Ismail Khan, security forces killed Sifatullah alias Mullah and injured three other militants.
“Sifatullah was involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area including facilitation of suicide bombing attack in Daraban on 12 December 2023 and was highly wanted by law enforcement agencies,” the ISPR said.
Another militant was killed in a gunfight in the North Waziristan district, according to the army.
In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed security forces for the successful operations and paid homage to the police constable killed in the Mohmand district.
“The Pakistani nation stands by its security forces until the menace of terrorism is completely eradicated from the country,” he said.
Pakistan initially witnessed a spike in militant violence in its two western provinces, KP and Balochistan, since the Pakistani Taliban called off their fragile truce with the government in November 2022. The group has intensified its attacks in recent months.
In a major attack in KP’s Bannu, ten soldiers were killed when militants launched a coordinated assault on a military cantonment on July 15.
Islamabad has blamed the recent surge in attacks on militants operating out of neighboring Afghanistan. Kabul denies the allegations and says rising violence in Pakistan is a domestic issue for Islamabad.
Five militants, one policeman killed in three military operations in Pakistan’s northwest — army
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Five militants, one policeman killed in three military operations in Pakistan’s northwest — army
- Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen a number of attacks on police, security forces and anti-polio vaccinators in recent weeks
- Islamabad has blamed the recent surge in attacks on militants operating out of neighboring Afghanistan, Kabul denies the allegation
Tariq confident Pakistan can bounce back after India drubbing
- Pakistan suffered 61-run defat at India’s hands, must beat Namibia on Wednesday to advance further
- Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq says team has worked on mistakes, has resolved not to repeat them
COLOMBO: Spinner Usman Tariq said Tuesday he was confident that Pakistan can bounce back from their T20 World Cup drubbing against India and seal qualification for the next round.
India’s 61-run romp means Pakistan must beat Namibia in their final match in Colombo on Wednesday to qualify for the Super Eights.
A defeat would eliminate Pakistan, who are third behind the USA on net run rate in Group A.
It would also leave an outside chance for the Netherlands to qualify, but they would need a big win over co-hosts India in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
“Lifting the team is only difficult when you don’t work on your mistakes committed in the last game,” Tariq told reporters.
“We have worked on our mistakes so I think it will not be a tough task.
“We have a resolve not to commit the same mistakes again.”
Pakistan were criticized for asking India to bat then folding meekly for 114 in 18 overs chasing a stiff 176 target.
“We can feel their (fans’) disappointment because the match is watched by the whole nation,” Tariq said.
“So we feel their pain but I am sure when we play them (India) next we will put up a better show.”
Tariq dismissed rumors that batting star Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi could be dropped against Namibia after poor performances against India.
“Both Azam and Shaheen have won many matches for Pakistan so if they did not perform well in one game we should not write them off,” said Tariq.
Pakistan have faced Namibia only once before in a T20 international.
“Whoever we play we have the confidence to beat them and our goal is to play the final and win the cup which we will try our best to achieve.”
Namibia have lost all three of their group matches.
