24 terrorists killed in two KP IBOs: ISPR

Security forces have killed as many as 24 militants of Fitna Al Khawarij in two separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the military’s media wing, the intelligence-based operations (IBO) were carried out on February 4 and 5 in Orakzai and Khyber districts.

The ISPR said that the operations were launched after reports of militant presence in the two areas. In Orakzai district, security forces raided a suspected hideout where troops engaged the militants. After a heavy exchange of fire, 14 militants were killed.

In a separate operation in Khyber district, security personnel confronted another group of militants, resulting in the killing of 10 more during the encounter.

Following the clashes, security forces carried out clearance and search operations in both districts to ensure no remaining militants were present in the area.

The ISPR said that counter-terrorism efforts would continue under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” strategy, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, adding that security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating what it described as foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.