Over 100 terrorists killed in operations across Pakistan: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Security and law enforcement agencies (LEAs), in a swift response to recent terror attacks, have killed over a hundred terrorists, besides apprehending several miscreants from different parts of the country, the Inter Services Public Relations said Friday.

The security agencies responded shortly after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa directed for combing and intelligence-based operations in the country, following Thursday bombing at a Sufi shrine in Sindh that left 88 devotees dead.

The operations are ongoing across the country, including Punjab, the ISPR said in a statement. "Over 100 terrorists have been killed since last night and sizeable apprehensions also made."

Intelligence agencies are making progress to unearth networks behind recent terrorist incidents and the outcome will be shared, said the military's public relations wing.

'Linkages from across the border'

"There are linkages of support for these incidents from across the border," the ISPR said. "The [Pak-Afghan] border has been closed since last night."

No cross-border or unauthorised entry into Pakistan from Afghanistan will be allowed, it said, for which the security forces have been given special orders to keep a strict watch all along the border.

Meanwhile, the Afghan authorities have been given list of 76 terrorists who have long been hiding across the border and "planning/directing/supporting terrorist activities in Pakistan", the ISPR said.

Afg Embassy officials called in GHQ. Given list of 76 Ts hiding in Afg. Asked to take immediate action / be handed over to Pakistan.

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 17, 2017

"The Afghan government has been asked to target them or hand over to Pakistan."

The statement further read that Pakistani security forces have also effectively targeted hideouts on Pak-Afghan border.

Army is for security of people, says COAS

The COAS, in his message to countrymen, said, "Army is for security of people of Pakistan against all types of threats. Nation to stay steadfast with full confidence in their security forces".

"We shall not let the hostile agenda succeed whatever it may cost," he pledged.

Tribal Areas

In the tribal areas, security forces killed 10 terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) wing of the Pakistan Army, six terrorists were killed in the exchange of fire while others managed to escape.

Meanwhile, in Bannu acting on actionable intelligence security forces carried out a raid on a terrorist hideout. In the ensuing exchange of fire four terrorists were killed. In both operations, security forces seized a large cache of arms and ammunition from the terrorists.

Sindh

In Karachi on Thursday night a Rangers paramilitary force convoy returning after carrying out relief operations in Sehwan exchanged fire with terrorists on the Super Highway killing seven terrorists. One paramilitary force soldier sustained injuries in the gunfight. The paramilitary force carried out a targeted operation in the Manghopir area during which 11 terrorists were killed and two paramilitary force personnel sustained injuries. During the operations, paramilitary force personnel seized latest weapons and ammunition from the terrorists.

'Nine terrorists killed in Karachi encounter'

SSP Malir Rao Anwar said Friday that the police conducted raids at the house of the father-in-law of TTP Karachi chief on the Super Highway, where an exchange of fire took place, killing nine terrorists.

The SSP informed that the terrorists were planning a major attack in the city. They were also planning to attack Rangers Headquarters, Karachi.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

During a search operation in Peshawar carried out by Police and Pakistan Army troops, three terrorists were killed. According to Police sources, the operation was carried out in Regi Lalma area, north of Peshawar city.

Earlier in the night, following the attack on a police van security force personnel carried out a search operation during which 2 terrorists were killed and a large cache of arms, ammunition and grenades were seized.

Balochistan

FC personnel carried out an operation in in Quetta killing two important commanders of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban. Two security personnel also sustained injuries during the operation. According to FC sources, acting on intelligence the force surrounded a terrorist hideout in Darakshan scheme 1 when terrorists opened fire on the raiding party. Retaliating the FC personnel killed two terrorists and seized a large cache of arms and ammunition which was handed over to Sariyab Police personnel along with the dead terrorists.