MIRANSHAH: Security forces said it have killed at least 62 militants of the Fitna al Khawarij and dismantled 14 hideouts during a series of intellegnece based counterterror operations in North Waziristan.
Security sources say that the operations were carried out from June 1 to June 12 in the villages of Palangzai, Khuzai and Nadeem Kot on the outskirts of Miranshah tehsil of North Waziristan. Troops supported by tanks, armored personnel carriers, bomb disposal teams and quick reaction forces carried out the operation.
Security forces also launched complementary operations across the region with the support of formations from 327 Brigade, 115 Brigade and the Garrison Khyber Task Force.
Officials said troops destroyed 14 militant headquarters and command centers, including a network of connecting tunnels. They also destroyed a large ammunition depot after munitions detonated during exchanges of fire.
During the first phase of the operation from June 1 to June 3, forces cleared Nadeem Kot and Khuzai and continued search operations across the target area. Ambush teams intercepted militants attempting to flee and reinforcements moving from the Manzar Khel area.
Security sources said troops killed 28 militants during this phase. They recovered six bodies and reported that another 14 to 16 militants were wounded. Authorities also carried out partial evacuations in the area.
In the second phase, from June 4 to June 12, forces conducted systematic clearance operations in Palangzai, which officials described as a militant stronghold. Troops killed 34 militants and recovered 24 bodies, including three that had been burned at the site.
Among those killed were four high-value militant commanders, whose bodies were recovered during the operation.
Security forces also detained eight suspected militants for questioning.
Troops rescued an underage orphan boy from a militant compound in Palangzai. Officials said the child had allegedly been subjected to abuse while in militant custody.
The operation resulted in the seizure of a significant cache of weapons and explosives. Recoveries included a 12.7mm heavy machine gun, two Zarrakai rifles, 22 submachine guns, an M-16 rifle, an RPG-7 launcher, large quantities of ammunition and improvised explosive devices. Forces also destroyed an additional 12.7mm weapon during the operation.
Security officials described the operation as one of the largest recent clearance missions in the Miranshah area and said follow-up operations would continue to prevent militants from re-establishing their presence.
