Security forces destroy an explosive-laden vehicle; President Zardari, Naqvi hail security forces’ swift response
Four terrorists were killed in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s South Waziristan district after security forces thwarted a major terrorist plot by destroying an “explosive-laden vehicle intended for a suicide attack”, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attack took place today when terrorists belonging to the “Indian-sponsored Fitna Al Khwarij” attempted to attack a security forces check post in South Waziristan district.
“The khwarij sought to breach the check post security; however, their nefarious designs were checked and decisively foiled by the vigilant and resolute response of security forces,” the statement said.
Read: 12 troops among 15 martyred in Tank terror attack
The ISPR said security forces successfully engaged the explosive-laden vehicle and destroyed it outside the perimeter of the post, killing one suicide bomber inside the vehicle. It added that the attack failed to cause any damage.
“Security personnel engaged the remaining intruders, forcing three khwarij into a nearby compound, who were later neutralised in a deliberate clearance operation with precision, without any casualty on the forces’ side,” the statement said while hailing the soldiers for displaying “unwavering courage and professional excellence” during the operation.
Fitna al-Khawarij is the term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
It further said that a sanitisation operation was underway to eliminate any other “Indian-sponsored kharji” found in the area.
The military’s media wing said the counterterrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace to eliminate the threat of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
Also Read: Two officials martyred in terrorist ambush on govt vehicle in Kohat
President Asif Ali Zardari and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised security forces for thwarting the terrorist attack, lauding their timely response and professional action.
In a statement, President Zardari commended the forces for defeating what he described as the terrorists’ “nefarious designs” through a swift and decisive operation.
“The security forces foiled the nefarious designs of terrorists through timely and decisive action,” the president said.
He said security forces and law enforcement agencies were continuing operations against terrorism with full determination and resolve.
“Terrorists and their facilitators will be defeated in all circumstances,” he added.
Naqvi also paid tribute to the security forces for foiling the attempted suicide attack.
“The nation is proud of the officers and personnel of Pakistan’s security forces,” the interior minister said.
He said security forces were fighting terrorism with “unwavering resolve and extraordinary spirit” and achieving significant successes.
Read More: Terrorists must not be called by any other name, says Tarar
Terrorist attacks have increased in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in recent years, raising concerns over the security situation in the two provinces. Security forces have been conducting operations to counter the threat, targeting terrorist groups.
In the latest incident, at least 15 security personnel and a government official were martyred when terrorists belonging to the “Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khwarij” attacked a joint police check post in K-P’s Tank district late Thursday night.
The same night, an assistant sub-inspector of the Kohat Excise Office and a Customs official were martyred, while another Customs official was seriously injured after terrorists ambushed a government vehicle at a joint check post on the Indus Highway in Kohat and set it ablaze.
