- Soldier martyred in exchange of fire with terrorists in Spinwam.
- Four terrorists killed during Operation Miran Shah.
- “Security forces are determined to eliminate terrorism.”
A Pakistan Army soldier embraced martyrdom while seven terrorists were killed in two separate encounters in North Waziristan district on December 10 and 11, army media said on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces carried out an operation in Miran Shah area of North Waziristan district over “reported presence of khwarij (terrorists)”. .
During the operation, he added, security forces actually attacked the terror site and “as a result of which four khwarij were killed”.
In another encounter in Spinwam area, security forces managed to gun down three more terrorists. However, during the intense exchange of fire, Lance Naik Muhammad Amin, 34, a resident of Faisalabad district, embraced martyrdom.
“A disinfection operation is underway to eliminate any further kharji found in the area,” the ISPR said, adding that security forces were determined to eliminate the terrorist menace.
Pakistan has seen a surge in terrorist attacks against security forces and civilians – particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan – since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces.
According to a report by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the third quarter (July-September) 2024 saw a sharp increase in deaths from terrorist violence and anti-terrorism campaigns, with an increase in violence of 90 %.
A total of 722 people were killed, including civilians, security personnel and outlaws, while 615 others were injured in 328 incidents recorded during the reporting period.
Nearly 97% of these deaths occurred in KP and Balochistan – the highest percentage in a decade, and over 92% of these incidents of terrorist attacks and security force operations were registered in the same provinces.
The total number of deaths over the three quarters of this year has now exceeded the total deaths recorded for all of 2023; the death toll rose to at least 1,534 in the first three quarters, compared to 1,523 in 2023.
Meanwhile, terrorist groups continue to reorganize and strengthen their ranks. Most terrorist attacks were not claimed by terrorist or insurgent groups, likely for tactical reasons, the report said.