22 militants killed in North Waziristan sanitisation operation within 24 hours: ISPR
PESHAWAR: Security forces killed 22 militants during a sanitisation operation conducted over the past 24 hours in the Shewa tehsil of North Waziristan district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
In a statement, the military’s media wing said that a clean-up operation against Indian-backed militants of Fitna al-Khawarij is ongoing in the area.
The ISPR stated that security forces effectively traced the militants’ hideouts and engaged them in intense exchanges of fire, resulting in the killing of 22 militants during the operation.
According to the statement, weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the possession of the slain militants, who were allegedly involved in multiple terrorist activities in the region.
The military spokesperson said security forces have cordoned off the area and the sanitisation operation will continue until all terrorists hiding in the region are eliminated.
The ISPR further alleged that the militants used local civilians as human shields in an attempt to secure escape routes, calling the act highly condemnable and stating that there can be no justification for endangering civilian lives.
The military added that security forces are carrying out operations under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” vision to eliminate all remaining militants from the area.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for the successful operation against Fitna al-Khawarij in North Waziristan and congratulated them on killing 22 militants.
The prime minister said that under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision, security forces are achieving major successes in the fight against terrorism and are standing like a “solid wall” against terrorist threats.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to eliminating all forms of terrorism from the country and said efforts are continuing to eradicate the menace completely.
