Pakistani Security Forces Kill 13 Alleged Terrorists in 48-Hour Operation

Pakistani security forces have eliminated 13 suspected terrorists in separate operations conducted over a 48-hour period in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. In Dera Ismail Khan district, an intelligence-based operation resulted in the killing of 10 terrorists after an intense exchange of fire. In another encounter in North Waziristan district, one more terrorist was killed.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the eliminated terrorists were implicated in multiple acts of terror against security forces and civilians. Arms and ammunition were recovered from them, though their names were not revealed.

The operations were carried out in response to recent assaults on Customs officers in the region. In the latest incident, two Customs officials were gunned down and four others were injured in an attack near the York Toll Plaza in Dera Ismail Khan. This was the second attack on Customs officials in the area in five days.

Earlier, five Customs officers were killed in an ambush during an intelligence-based operation in Daraban. A civilian and a minor girl were also killed in that attack. In a separate incident, a Frontier Corps (FC) personnel was martyred after being shot by unknown assailants in Dera Ismail Khan's Kulachi tehsil.

Why this matters: The killing of 13 alleged terrorists by Pakistani security forces underscores the ongoing threat of terrorism in the region and the efforts by the military to combat it. The recent attacks on Customs officials highlight the dangers faced by law enforcement personnel in carrying out their duties.

The Pakistani government has strongly condemned the attacks on Customs officers and vowed strict action against smugglers. "The security forces have been appreciated by the locals for their efforts to eradicate the scourge of terrorism from the country," the ISPR stated. The military has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to eradicating the threat of terrorism and ensuring peace and security for all citizens.

Key Takeaways

• Pakistani forces killed 13 suspected terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
• Terrorists were implicated in attacks on security forces and civilians; arms recovered.
• Operations were in response to recent attacks on Customs officials in Dera Ismail Khan.
• 5 Customs officers, 1 civilian, and 1 minor girl killed in earlier attacks in the region.
• Military vows to eradicate terrorism, praised by locals for efforts to ensure peace.