ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces killed a key militant commander and more than 10 terrorists associated with the Indian proxy Fitna al Khawarij during an intelligence-based operation in Dera Ismail Khan, security officials said on Monday.
Security forces sources say that the operation was conducted in Kalachi tehsil of the Dera Ismail Khan on 16 November (Sunday).
The forces launched the raid after receiving specific intelligence on the presence of Fitna al-Khawarij militants, including Afghan fighters.
Officials said the operation killed several high-value targets, including Alam Mehsud, a former deputy of Abu Zikawan; Sari, son of Gul Nawaz; Sajid, son of Majeed; and Tariq, son of Hakeem.
Four other militants sustained injuries.
Security officials confirmed that four of the killed fighters were Afghan nationals.
Troops also recovered a large cache of explosives, suicide vests, improvised explosive devices, and weapons from the area.
Officials described Alam Mehsud as the mastermind of major attacks, including the 2008 assault on the Nawaz Kot post, the 2010 Bannu jailbreak, and a 2014 attack on an army post.
Local elders expressed satisfaction with the operation and praised the security forces for restoring peace in the area.
Security officials said counterterrorism operations will continue under the National Action Plan until the “last militant is eliminated” and full peace is restored.
On Saturday last, security forces had carrid out an intelligence-based operation in Bannu and killed 15 Khawarij.
Authorities said the militants were hiding in an abandoned house in the Domel area of the district that they had monitored for a month. Intelligence reports confirmed the presence of militants who were using the site to plan and launch attacks in nearby areas.
