Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: At least 12 militants and two soldiers were killed in two separate operations by security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan, said military on Monday.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Pakistan military's media wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that the intelligence-based operations (IBOs) targeted the banned outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in northern KPK province and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) in southwestern Balochistan province.
An IBO in Lakki Marwat district of KPK led to the killing of five "terrorists" after troops engaged them at their location. Another operation in Bannu district of KPK resulted in the death of two militants, while a terrorist ambush was repulsed in North Waziristan tribal district's general area of Mir Ali, where two more militants were killed after an effective response from the troops.
However, during the intense exchange of fire, two soldiers were killed, said ISPR. The military stated that further operations are ongoing to eliminate any remaining terrorists in the areas. ISPR accused that the operations targeted "Indian sponsored terrorists."
"Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian-abetted and prosecuted terrorism perpetrated through their proxies, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve," it concluded.
In a separate encounter in Balochistan province, security forces engaged terrorists in the Awaran district's general area of Gishkur, killing "Indian-sponsored terrorist Younas" in an intense fire exchange, while two more were injured, stated ISPR.
Another engagement in Turbat City of Kech district saw security forces successfully neutralize two terrorists, including a ring leader Sabr Ullah, according to the military's media wing. It claimed that weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the terrorists, who were actively involved in multiple activities against law enforcement agencies and the target killing of civilians.
"Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any terrorist present in the area, as security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts by Indian proxies at sabotaging peace, stability, and progress of Balochistan," ISPR concluded.