RAWALPINDI (MNN);Security forces have killed 27 militants during a series of intelligence-based operations conducted over the past 72 hours in the Miranshah area of North Waziristan, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
In a statement issued on Sunday, the military’s media wing said security forces carried out multiple operations against militant hideouts in and around Miranshah as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
The ISPR said that intense exchanges of fire took place during the operations, resulting in the killing of 27 militants belonging to what it described as “India-sponsored Fitna al Khawarij”. The term is used by the state for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
According to the military, a large quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the slain militants, who were allegedly involved in numerous terrorist attacks and targeted killings of civilians.
The statement said the operation also avenged the killing of prominent tribal elder Shaheed Malik Saifullah Dawar, who was assassinated in Miranshah earlier this year. The military stated that those responsible for the attack had now been brought to justice.
Security forces have continued clearance and sanitisation operations in the area to eliminate any remaining militants and ensure lasting stability.
The ISPR reaffirmed that Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue their nationwide counterterrorism campaign under the “Azm-i-Istehkam” strategy approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan framework.
The military said efforts would continue at full pace to eliminate militancy and restore peace across the country.
Meanwhile, state-run Radio Pakistan reported that President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for the successful operations in North Waziristan.
In separate statements, both leaders paid tribute to the personnel involved and reiterated the nation’s commitment to continuing the fight against terrorism until its complete eradication.
The latest operations come against the backdrop of heightened security concerns in North Waziristan following the killing of tribal elder Malik Saifullah Dawar in early May.
According to local sources, Dawar was shot dead outside his residence after he and other tribal elders reportedly opposed the presence of suspected militants in a local mosque.
The killing sparked a fierce gun battle between members of the Darpa Khel tribe and armed militants in Miranshah, with both sides reportedly using automatic weapons during hours-long clashes.
Sources said suspected militants had allegedly occupied a mosque in the area before tribal elders intervened and forced them to leave.
A day later, a large group of armed men reportedly returned, called Malik Saifullah Dawar out of his home and opened fire, killing him at the scene.
Earlier this month, the district administration imposed Section 144 indefinitely across the Miranshah subdivision, restricting public movement and traffic due to security concerns.
The move was widely viewed as part of intensified counterterrorism measures in the district amid fears of retaliatory attacks.
Prior to the imposition of restrictions, security forces had reportedly foiled a suicide attack targeting a military post near Miranshah, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region.