Security forces neutralise 2 militant hideouts in North Waziristan mosques

Security forces neutralised two militant hideouts in North Waziristan, recovering explosives, weapons and ammunition during an intelligence-based operation, the military’s media wing said on Monday.

The operation was carried out in Muzak village, south of Mir Ali in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The military said the hideouts were used by members of India-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij. A large quantity of prepared improvised explosive devices, material used to make explosives, weapons and ammunition was recovered from the sites.

According to the ISPR, the hideouts had been established inside mosques, which were also being used as torture cells. The military condemned the use of places of worship for storing explosives and other militant activities.

The statement said that the militants had been facilitated by the Afghan Taliban, adding that their activities and interpretation of Islam were rejected by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan.

A follow-up search operation was under way to locate any other suspected militant hideouts in the area, the ISPR said.

It added that counter-terrorism operations under the Azm-i-Istehkam campaign would continue to target foreign-sponsored terrorism.