Metro53 - ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday said Pakistan had carried out limited operations against militant hideouts in border regions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier, resulting in the killing of 26 militants belonging to what the government refers to as “Fitna Al-Khawarij”.
Addressing the media, Tarar said the operations were conducted on the basis of intelligence reports and targeted militant camps and safe havens with a high degree of precision and caution.
According to the minister, four key targets were completely destroyed during the operation, including a training facility, a covert hideout and an arms depot. He added that centres linked to militant commanders Aleem Khan Khushhali and Akhtar Mohammad Janikhel were among the sites targeted.
The information minister said the strikes were carried out in response to a series of recent militant attacks inside Pakistan. He cited an attack on a Federal Constabulary checkpoint in Musa Darra on June 9, a vehicle-borne suicide bombing targeting a military post in North Waziristan on June 2, and a suicide attack on a police station in Bannu on May 9.
Tarar reiterated that Pakistan remained committed to promoting peace and stability in the region while safeguarding the lives and property of its citizens.
“Our foremost priority is national security and the protection of our people,” he said, adding that security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue counterterrorism operations with full resolve.
The minister further stated that Pakistan was determined to eliminate militancy and terrorism allegedly supported by external elements, stressing that efforts to dismantle militant networks would continue across the country.
The statement comes amid ongoing security challenges in Pakistan’s border regions, where security forces have intensified operations against militant groups in recent months.
