MIANWALI: In a series of operations on Monday, at least 16 members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were taken out by police, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and security forces in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).
TTP militants were the target of a coordinated crackdown as reported by the Punjab police. A joint operation with the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) led to the deaths of at least 10 terrorists, with several others injured in the Makarwal area of Mianwali district. Shortly after, the military announced that six more terrorists were killed during two Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) conducted in the Waziristan region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P)
According to the Mianwali police, this joint operation began two days prior, following reports of 20 to 30 terrorists hiding in the hilly terrain of Mullakhel, which is near the Karak district and falls under the jurisdiction of the Makarwal police station.
They reported that the police, along with the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Rangers, led by Mianwali District Police Officer (DPO) Akhtar Farooq and joined by Sargodha Range Police Officer (RPO) Shahzad Asif Khan, surrounded the terrorists and engaged in sporadic gunfire.
According to a statement from the Punjab Police spokesperson, over 10 terrorists were killed, and there were also reports of injuries among other terrorists. The source mentioned that further police operations against the terrorists were ongoing.
During the exchanges of fire, the spokesperson noted that a local man was injured in the leg and was taken to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, all police officers and CTD personnel remained unharmed.
In response to the operation, security measures in Mianwali and the surrounding areas have been tightened. Officials confirmed that the operation would continue until all terrorist networks in the region are completely dismantled.
Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Dr. Usman Anwar praised the Mianwali police for their “brilliant success” in tackling terrorism. “The Punjab police are on high alert… we will crush the wicked plans of the terrorists,” the police chief declared.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also recognized the efforts of the Punjab Police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) for taking down 10 terrorists in Makarwal, sending her best wishes to the teams involved. “The brave sons of Punjab Police are our pride,” she expressed.
In a statement from Islamabad, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi commended the Punjab Police and the CTD for their effective operation against terrorists, calling it a “significant success” in the ongoing battle against terrorism.
The minister offered high praise for the courageous police and CTD personnel who, in a high-stakes operation, eliminated over 10 Khawarij terrorists. He emphasized that this operation was not just a tactical win but also a strong message to all anti-state elements plotting against the peace and security of the nation.
“By sending more than 10 Khawarij terrorists to their end, the Punjab Police and CTD have shown remarkable determination and professionalism,” Naqvi noted. He added that such victories are vital for ensuring lasting peace in the country and protecting the lives of innocent citizens.
In a strong reaffirmation of the government’s steadfast position against terrorism, Interior Minister Naqvi promised that law enforcement would receive all the necessary resources to eliminate terrorism from the nation.
Waziristan IBOs
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), five Khwarij terrorists were taken down during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Razmak area of North Waziristan, while a notorious terrorist leader, Zabi Ullah, was neutralized in a separate IBO in South Waziristan.
“Acting on reports of Khwarij presence, our Security Forces launched an intelligence-based operation in the Razmak area of North Waziristan District. During the operation, our troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location, resulting in the elimination of five Khwarij,” the ISPR reported.
“In South Waziristan District, our forces successfully neutralized the Khwarij ring leader Zabi Ullah @Zakran, who was heavily involved in various terrorist activities against security forces and was responsible for the targeted killings of innocent civilians. He was a top priority for Law Enforcement Agencies,” it added.
The ISPR also mentioned that sanitization operations are ongoing to ensure any remaining Khwarij in those areas are dealt with, emphasizing that Pakistan’s security forces are resolute in their mission to eradicate the threat of terrorism from the country.
President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both expressed their gratitude to the security forces for their successful operations against the Khwarij in North and South Waziristan. In their individual statements, they commended the bravery of the troops for eliminating the Khwarij.
They reiterated the government’s dedication to eradicating terrorism from the nation, stating that the entire country stands united with the security forces in this fight against the scourge of terrorism.
(WITH INPUT FROM OUR RAWALPINDI CORRESPONDENT)
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Q1.Who are the TTP militants?
TTP stands for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, a banned terrorist organization responsible for numerous attacks across Pakistan. The group is known for targeting civilians, law enforcement, and military installations.
Q2.How many TTP militants were killed in the recent operations?
A total of 16 TTP militants were killed—10 in the Makarwal area of Punjab’s Mianwali district, and 6 more in Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) conducted in North and South Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Q3.Who carried out the operations against TTP militants?
The operations were a joint effort involving the Punjab Police, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Pakistan Army, and Rangers. These efforts were praised by top government officials for their effectiveness and professionalism.
Q4.Where did the operations take place?
The key locations included:
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Makarwal, Mianwali (Punjab)
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Razmak, North Waziristan (K-P)
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South Waziristan (K-P)
Q5.What was the outcome of the Mianwali operation?
In Mianwali, at least 10 terrorists were eliminated, several were injured, and security forces successfully dismantled a terrorist hideout in the hilly region near Mullakhel.
Q6.Who was Zabi Ullah and why was he targeted?
Zabi Ullah, also known as Zakran, was a notorious TTP ring leader involved in attacks on security forces and the killing of civilians. He was neutralized in an IBO in South Waziristan.
