ISLAMABAD: Security forces conducted two intelligence-based operations in Pakistan’s northwest on Saturday, informed an official statement, killing four militants involved in target killings and extortion activities in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Pakistan witnessed a surge in militant attacks and suicide bombings last year that led to the killing of hundreds of civilians and security personnel. More recently, militant groups have also targeted politicians running their election campaigns ahead of the national polls scheduled to be held in February.
According to the army’s media wing, ISPR, the security forces carried out the first operation in Mir Ali, a settlement in North Waziristan district, where they killed a high-value target, Commander Tabassum, along with his accomplice Sajid after an intense exchange of fire.
The other operation was jointly conducted by the security forces and the police in Kulachi, located in Dera Ismail Khan district, where two more militants were killed.
“Weapons, ammunition & explosives were recovered from the killed terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces as well as extortion & target killings of innocent civilians, and were highly wanted by the law enforcement agencies,” the statement said.
It informed that “sanitization operations” had been launched in the two areas to eliminate any other militants.
“Locals of the area appreciated the operations and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism,” the statement added.
