Security forces have killed 10 militants in separate South Waziristan counterterror operations and an operation in the northwestern Dir district, according to Pakistan’s military media wing. The operations were carried out this week as security forces continued efforts against militant activity in the region.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the first operation took place in South Waziristan on Thursday. According to the military, militants affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also referred to by authorities as Fitna-ul-Khawarij, attempted to attack a security forces checkpost.
Security forces responded to the attack, resulting in an exchange of fire in which eight militants were killed, the ISPR said. The military did not provide further details about casualties among security personnel in the incident.
Two more militants were killed in a separate operation in the northwestern Dir district on the same day. According to the ISPR, weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants, who were accused by the military of being involved in militant activities in the area.
The military said sanitisation operations were continuing in the affected areas to locate and eliminate any remaining militants. Such operations are generally conducted after an engagement to ensure that areas are cleared of possible threats and that no militant presence remains.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces following the operations in South Waziristan and Dir. In a statement issued by his office, he said efforts to spread terrorism would be countered and vowed that what he described as terrorist designs backed by India would be thwarted.
The latest South Waziristan counterterror operation comes after further military operations in Balochistan. According to the ISPR, 12 militants were killed in separate operations in Washuk and Mastung districts on August 5 and 6, highlighting continued security operations against militant groups across Pakistan.
