DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Security forces killed eight terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district on Sunday, security sources said, according to state-run Radio Pakistan.
The slain men belonged to Fitna-al-Khawarij, a term the state uses for terrorists associated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Security sources said three key terrorist commanders were among those killed. They also reported recovering foreign currency, a large quantity of arms and ammunition from the slain terrorists.
The operation formed part of Azm-i-Istehkam, according to the report.
President, PM Praise Security Forces
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised security forces for their timely action in DI Khan.
In a statement, PM Shehbaz said the Pakistani nation stood shoulder to shoulder with security forces in the fight against terrorism, Radio Pakistan reported.
Meanwhile, President Zardari said the country would not allow the “nefarious designs” of terrorists operating under foreign patronage and with support from local facilitators to succeed.
Pakistan launched Operation Azm-i-Istehkam in June 2024 to demonstrate national resolve against extremism and terrorism.
Terrorist Attacks Rise in KP
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has faced persistent militant attacks and security challenges.
According to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the province recorded 54 terrorist attacks in August, excluding the merged districts. The figure stood at 36 in July, marking a 50% increase.
Security forces have responded with operations across several districts.
On Saturday, state media reported that security forces killed five Fitna-al-Khawarij terrorists in an IBO in South Waziristan.
On Friday, forces killed seven terrorists in the Eidak area of North Waziristan.
Earlier, security forces killed three terrorists in Mir Ali on Wednesday and five in Bara on Tuesday. They also killed four terrorists in DI Khan on Monday.
Recent Operations and Major Attacks
On September 17, security forces killed 10 terrorists in separate operations across KP between September 15 and 17.
Earlier in the month, forces killed more than 20 terrorists during multiple engagements between September 3 and 5.
Meanwhile, a major attack at the old Police Lines in Kohat on September 18 killed 23 people and injured around 100 others. Security forces later killed eight terrorists during an overnight clearance operation.
On September 26, a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a police checkpost in DI Khan. The attacker then targeted an ambulance carrying bodies to a hospital.
The attack martyred 14 people, including two rescue officials, and injured 35 others.
