NORTH WAZIRISTAN — Security forces killed three militants during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Mir Ali area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district on Wednesday, state media reported, citing security sources.
The operation targeted hideouts in Mir Ali and nearby areas belonging to militants described by the state as Fitna al Khawarij, the designation Pakistani authorities use for members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). A significant quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the militants.
State broadcaster PTV reported that security personnel also foiled an attempt by militants to intercept a ration truck near Mir Ali Bazaar, and that militant hideouts in Mir Ali and surrounding areas were precisely targeted and destroyed.
The operation was conducted under the country’s counterterrorism campaign, Azm-e-Istehkam.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for the operation, according to Radio Pakistan. President Zardari said counterterrorism operations would continue to establish peace across the country and that militant attempts to undermine security would be thwarted. The prime minister said eliminating terrorism remained among the government’s highest priorities and that the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with its security forces.
The Mir Ali operation followed other counterterrorism actions reported this week, including operations in Balochistan’s Chagai district and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bara area.