Security forces eliminated 54 Khwarij during two engagements in the Hassan Khel area of North Waziristan as they attempted to infiltrate from Afghanistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.
According to the military’s media wing, the movement of a large group of Khwarij was detected by security forces on the nights of April 25/26 and 26/27. Troops responded swiftly and engaged the infiltrators with precision, effectively thwarting their attempt to enter Pakistani territory. A large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives was recovered from the slain Khwarij.
Intelligence reports indicated that the group was infiltrating on the behest of “foreign masters” to carry out high-profile terrorist activities inside Pakistan. ISPR said the timing of the infiltration attempt, coinciding with India’s baseless allegations against Pakistan, pointed towards the external forces guiding such actions. It termed these acts as treason and betrayal against the state and its citizens.
The ISPR referred to the recent National Security Committee (NSC) meeting, which highlighted that efforts to distract Pakistan’s security forces from the war against terrorism appeared to be part of a broader strategic design by India, aimed at providing space to groups like Fitna al Khwarij (FAK), which are under pressure from ongoing military operations.
The ISPR described the engagements as a major success, noting that the number of Khwarij eliminated was the highest recorded by security forces in a single encounter during the entire counterterrorism campaign. It said the security forces demonstrated “exceptional professionalism, vigilance and preparedness,” averting a major threat.
The armed forces reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to defend the nation’s frontiers and eradicate the menace of terrorism, with the ISPR underscoring that such decisive actions further strengthen Pakistan’s collective resolve and signify major gains in the ongoing fight against Khwarij.
