RAWALPINDI, May 19: Security forces have killed 22 militants during an ongoing area sanitization operation in the Shewa area of North Waziristan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Monday.
According to ISPR, the operation was launched on May 17 after security agencies received credible intelligence reports regarding the presence of militants in the area.
The military’s media wing said troops engaged militant hideouts during the operation, leading to an intense exchange of fire in which 22 militants linked to the banned group Fitna-al-Khwarij were killed over the past 24 hours.
Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain militants, who, according to ISPR, were involved in multiple terrorist activities in the region.
Area cordoned off during sanitization operation
ISPR said security forces had effectively cordoned off the area and the sanitization operation was continuing to eliminate remaining militants.
The statement alleged that militants had used local residents as human shields by coercing and intimidating civilians to secure safe passage during the operation.
The military described such actions as condemnable and said the use of civilians in conflict situations endangered public lives.
Counterterrorism campaign to continue
According to ISPR, the operation is part of Pakistan’s broader counterterrorism campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” strategy approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.
The military said security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue operations against what it described as foreign-sponsored terrorism across the country.
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