Security operations kill 34 militants in Pakistan: Military

ISLAMABAD, Feb 25 (KUNA) -- At least 34 militants were killed in different security operations in Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and southwestern Balochistan provinces, said the military on Wednesday.
According to a press release by Pakistan military's media wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted a series of high-tempo intelligence driven operations. The military said that 26 militants were killed in four separate engagements in KPK, whereas eight militants were killed in an engagement in Sambaza district of Balochistan.
It further said that movement of a group of militants, opposite general area Hassan Khel in North Waziristan tribal district, who were trying to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was picked up by the security forces. Pakistani troops effectively engaged this group of militants. As a result of precise and skillful engagement, one militant was killed. It is significant to highlight that the killed militant has been identified as an Afghan national.
In another engagement, an intelligence-based operation was conducted in Lakki Marwat District. During the conduct of the operation, Pakistani troops effectively engaged the militants' location and after an intense exchange of fire, three militants were successfully neutralized. Simultaneously, in two separate engagements in general area Narmi Khel of Bannu District in KPK, Pakistani troops effectively neutralized ten militants; while operating on precise intelligence, the troops successfully eliminated 12 militants in general area Mir Ali of North Waziristan District. During the fifth engagement, Pakistani troops conducted an intelligence-based operation in the general area Sambaza of Zhob District in Balochistan. After an intense fire exchange, eight terrorists were successfully neutralized. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed militants and terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area, concluded the statement. (end) sbk.hb