Nine militants killed in two IBOs in KP, says ISPR

Security forces eliminated nine militants in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) carried out in Tank and Lakki Marwat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the ISPR said on Saturday.

According to the ISPR, the operations were launched on December 5 following intelligence reports about the presence of militants. In Tank, troops engaged the target after a fierce exchange of fire, seven “khawarij” belonging to Indian-proxy Fitna Al Khawarij, were killed. 

Another operation in nearby Lakki Marwat resulted in two additional militants being eliminated. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, ISPR added, stating that they had been actively involved in attacks on security personnel, law enforcement agencies, and civilians. 

The ISPR warned that “sanitization operations” are underway to wipe out any remaining militants. The military said that the counter-terrorism campaign under the banner of Azm‑e‑Istehkam will continue at full pace to rid the country of “foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism".

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari lauded the operations. Sharif hailed the gains made under Azm-e-Istehkam and affirmed the nation’s resolve to eradicate terrorism. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the “professionalism, courage, and swift action” of security forces.