LOC01:30
22:30 GMT
ISLAMABAD, May 19 (KUNA) -- At least 12 militants and two soldiers were killed in two separate operations by security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan, said military on Monday.
According to Pakistan military's media wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the intelligence-based operations (IBOs) were conducted against the banned outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in northern KPK province and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) in southwestern Balochistan province.
An IBO was conducted in Lakki Marwat district of KPK during which troops engaged the enemy at its location and killed five "terrorists". Another operation in Bannu district of KPK left two militants dead while a terrorists ambush was repulsed in North Waziristan tribal district's general area of Mir Ali killing two more militants after the effective response of troops.
However, during the intense fire exchange, two brave sons of soil having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom, said ISPR.
The military further said that crackdown operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the areas. The ISPR accused that the operation was conducted against "Indian sponsored terrorists".
"Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian abetted and prosecuted terrorism perpetrated through their proxies, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve," it concluded.
Moreover, during an encounter in Balochistan province, security forces engaged the terrorists at their location in Awaran district's general area of Gishkur and killed "Indian-sponsored terrorist Younas" in an intense fire exchange, while two more were injured, said ISPR.
Another engagement in Turbat City of Kech district, security forces successfully neutralized two terrorists including a ring leader Sabr Ullah, the media wing of the military added. It claimed that weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the terrorists, who were actively involved in multiple activities against law enforcement agencies and target killing of innocent civilians.
"Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any terrorist present in the area, as security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts by Indian proxies at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan," the ISPR concluded. (end)
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