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In a major operation, security forces eliminated eight terrorists in two separate actions across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the military’s media wing on Thursday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was launched in the Sararogha area of the South Waziristan district following reports of terrorist activity. During the operation, security forces successfully engaged the militants, killing two, including the notorious Khan Muhammad alias Khoryay, a key terrorist leader. Two other terrorists were also captured. Khan Muhammad was reportedly involved in various acts of terrorism, including target killings and extortion, and was highly sought after by law enforcement, with a reward of Rs1 million for his capture.
In a second operation in Lakki Marwat district, security forces engaged in a fierce firefight with terrorists, ultimately killing six of them. Ongoing sanitization efforts are being carried out to ensure that any remaining terrorists in the area are neutralized. The ISPR reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating terrorism from the region.
This comes just a day after security forces killed five militants in a similar operation in Lakki Marwat, with two additional terrorists injured.
Recent data shows a troubling spike in violence, with terrorist activities and counter-terrorism operations reaching a 90% increase in fatalities during the third quarter of 2024. According to a report by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), a total of 722 deaths were recorded from July to September 2024, marking the highest number in a decade. The vast majority of fatalities and attacks occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
As the year progresses, fatalities from terrorism have surpassed last year’s totals, with over 1,500 people killed in the first three quarters of 2024. Meanwhile, terrorist groups continue to regroup and bolster their forces, with many attacks remaining unclaimed, likely for strategic reasons.
