Security Forces Kill Terrorists in North Waziristan Operation

Security forces have killed 23 terrorists, including a high-value commander, in a series of intelligence-based operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the last 48 hours, the military’s media wing announced on Thursday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operations were conducted in the Datta Khel and Spinwam areas of North Waziristan, as well as in Bannu. Among those killed was a key ringleader identified as Jan Meer, also known as Toor Saqib. The government had placed a bounty on Meer for his active involvement in numerous terrorist activities, including attacks on security personnel and civilians. His death is considered a significant blow to terrorist networks in the region.

According to security sources, Meer, a commander of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was the mastermind behind several attacks and was involved in planting explosives and building fortifications near the Bobali Mosque in Spinwam. The operations involved intense exchanges of fire, leading to the neutralization of the militants.

During subsequent sanitisation efforts, forces discovered and destroyed a series of complex underground tunnels and bunkers used by the terrorists. A large cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs), was also recovered from the slain militants.

The ISPR stated that these operations are part of the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign under Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, which aims to eliminate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism. The operations come amid a sharp escalation in militant violence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to recent reports, Pakistan saw a 34% rise in terrorist attacks last year, with terrorism-related fatalities increasing by 21%.

Islamabad has consistently urged the Afghan administration to dismantle TTP sanctuaries operating on its soil. The Pakistani government refers to the TTP as “Fitna al-Khawarij” and has vowed that counter-terrorism efforts by security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue at full pace.