ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 (KUNA) - At least 24 militants were killed in two separate engagements in Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province bordering Afghanistan, said military on Friday.
According to a press release by Pakistan military's media wing Inter Services Public relations (ISPR), an intelligence-based operation was conducted by the security forces in Orakzai tribal district of KPK on reported presence of militants.
During the conduct of the operation, Pakistani troops effectively engaged the militants' location and after an intense exchange of fire, 14 militants were killed. Another intelligence-based operation by security forces was conducted in the Khyber tribal district of KPK.
In the ensuing fire exchange, 10 more militants were effectively neutralized. Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other militant found in the area as relentless Counter Terrorism campaign by security forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country, the release concluded.
President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have paid tribute to the security forces for carrying out successful intelligence-based operations in KPK.
In their separate statements, they commended the officers and personnel of the security forces for the successful operation to counter terrorism in Orakzai and Khyber districts. They reaffirmed that the war against the menace of terrorism will continue till its complete elimination from the country.
The President said the elimination of 24 militants during effective operations against terrorist elements is a commendable achievement. The Prime Minister said the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in their unwavering resolve to foil the nefarious designs of terrorists.
The operations by security forces came a day after the Pakistan military confirmed the killing of 216 "terrorists" in well-coordinated engagements and subsequent clearance operations in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province. (end) sbk.seo