74 Terrorists Killed in IBOs Across KP and Balochistan, ISPR Says

ISLAMABAD: Security forces have killed 74 terrorists in intelligence-based operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, the military’s media wing said on Friday.
43 killed in Mir Ali and Orakzai in 48 hours
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 43 terrorists were killed in KP over the past 48 hours, including 35 in Mir Ali, North Waziristan district, and eight in Orakzai district. Troops engaged multiple hideouts in fierce exchanges of fire, dealing what the ISPR called a significant blow to the networks operating in the areas.
A large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives was recovered during the sanitisation operations, including homemade explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The ISPR said the recovery had thwarted the terrorists’ plans to use the material in attacks, and that clearance operations were continuing to eliminate any remaining terrorists in the areas.
31 killed in Quetta operation under way since Nov 3
Separately, 31 terrorists were killed in Balochistan during a comprehensive area sanitisation operation launched on November 3 in the Kurram area of Quetta district. The ISPR said the operation targeted terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij — the state’s term for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan — and Fitna al-Hindustan, the term used for Balochistan-based groups. Several hideouts were engaged and weapons, ammunition and explosives recovered.
Weapons and explosives recovered; president, PM praise forces
The military reaffirmed that counterterrorism operations under the Azm-e-Istehkam initiative would continue. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces, saying the successes reflected the nation’s resolve and the professional capabilities of its personnel.