A highly-wanted terrorist belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan was killed along with 14 other terrorists in two separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday. However, the operations also resulted in the martyrdom of one officer and three soldiers belonging to the Pakistan Army.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the first operation was conducted in Dera Ismail Khan where nine terrorists were killed including a ‘high value target’ identified as Farman alias Saqib. Saqib Gandapur had been recently appointed the ‘shadow governor’ of the TTP in the area.

The operation also killed Amanullah alias Toori, Saeed alias Liaqat and Bilal. The five others killed in the operation were not identified.

In another operation in Miran Shah in North Waziristan, six more terrorists were killed. However, in this operation Lieutenant Muhammad Hassaan Arshaf, Naib Subedar Muhammad Bilal, Sepoy Farhat Ullahand Sepoy Himat Khan embraced martyrdom. ISPR added that the soldiers made the ‘ulitmate sacrifice’.

“Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve,” ISPR added.

Since August 2024, security forces have identified terrorists as ‘Fitna al-Khwarij’. The policy came change due to the fact that groups including the TTP have used the name of Islam to spread terrorism across Pakistan.