ISLAMABAD: Pakistan carried out precision strikes against verified camps of the Kharji Gul Bahadur group in the border regions of North and South Waziristan, Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar said on Saturday.
Tarar said the strikes targeted militants responsible for a series of recent cross-border attacks launched from inside Afghanistan. “During a 48-hour ceasefire, Kharjis operating from Afghan soil attempted multiple terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, all of which were effectively repelled by our security forces,” he stated.
According to the minister, more than 100 militants were killed during the counteroffensive. He added that the Gul Bahadur group also carried out a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack in North Waziristan that claimed the lives of a soldier and several civilians.
“In last night’s precision strikes, between 60 and 70 Kharjis, including key leaders, were eliminated based on confirmed intelligence reports,” Tarar said.
Rejecting allegations of civilian casualties, the minister said such claims were “false and aimed at generating sympathy for terrorist groups operating from inside Afghanistan.”
He said that Pakistan remains committed to addressing what he called Indian-sponsored terrorism emanating from Afghan territory through dialogue and cooperation.
“Pakistan has every right to defend its territorial integrity and protect its citizens. We will not allow terrorists sheltering across the border to live in peace,” Tarar said in his post.
Yesterday, the security forces had killed 18 terrorists of Fitna al Khawarij militants multiple operations in Lakki Marwat and North Waziristan.
At least eight militants of Fitna al Khawarij militants were killed in Sultan Khel area of Lakki Marwat.
At least six terrorists associated with Fitna al Khawarij were killed in an intelligence based operation by the security forces in Datta Khel, while four, including a suicide bomber, were killed during an attack on a military camp in Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan.
