Security forces have killed 27 militants in North Waziristan over the last 72 hours during a series of intelligence-driven operations, the military’s media wing announced on Sunday. These operations targeted multiple hideouts linked to “Fitna al-Khawarij,” a term used by the government to describe the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
During the raids, troops recovered a significant cache of weapons and ammunition, highlighting the threat posed by these militants. The strikes form part of a coordinated counterterrorism campaign under the “Azm e Istehkam” initiative, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, aimed at dismantling militant infrastructure near the Afghan border.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction with the operation’s outcome, noting that those responsible for the recent killing of Malik Saifullah Dawar, a prominent local figure from Mansehra, have been brought to justice. He warned that “Fitna al-Khawarij” and their external backers would not succeed in their malicious plans, emphasizing that eradicating terrorism supported by foreign patrons remains the government’s highest priority. “We will take this war to its logical conclusion,” he affirmed.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for eliminating 27 militants within three days, stating that the entire nation stands united behind the military in its fight against terrorism.
Security analysts have observed that the intensity and scale of this 72-hour operation signal a shift toward more aggressive, pre-emptive strikes against militant groups increasingly active in the tribal districts. The recent casualties raise the total number of militants killed in the volatile northwest region to over 60 since the start of the month.
