Intelligence-based operations have been underway since August 20 in the picturesque but restive Tirah Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Khyber district, resulting in the death of an estimated 40 militants of terrorist groups so far. Another 20 were injured and arrested.
According to ISPR, intelligence-based operations were started after August 20 to bring security to the populace by fostering peace in the region and the security forces are dedicated to bringing about peace in all areas, including Tirah, with the populace’s assistance.
The statement released on Saturday claims that during operations in the Tirah Valley, the forces killed 12 terrorists and gravely injured over 20 others. 22 terrorists were slain in a significant operation in Tirah earlier this month. In the conflict, four Pakistani soldiers also lost their lives. In the past, Tirah has served as the hub for around three terrorist organizations. These operations began when rumors circulated some time ago that a few commanders of the outlawed groups Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Lashkar-e-Islam had returned to the region with dozens of fighters from Afghanistan.
However, five terrorists were slain by security personnel in Kech, Zhob, and Panjgur, three distinct districts in the province of Balochistan. Reports of similar instances have come from other regions. The series has gotten more intense after terrorist attacks on August 25 and 26, which occurred in roughly ten different regions of Balochistan and resulted in the brutal martyrdom of dozens of non-local civilians in addition to military personnel; the attacks were claimed by the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army. Following this, the Army Chief and other high-ranking officials and ministers attended a meeting of the Apex Committee of the National Action Plan, which was chaired by the Prime Minister in Quetta. At this meeting, it was determined that similar to the TTP, strict action would be taken against the BLA and other such groups. In this regard, a meeting of the federal cabinet was held in Islamabad on Friday, during which the prime minister updated the cabinet on the Apex Committee’s findings and took their confidence. The next day, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi addressed the Senate that people who do not believe in Pakistan’s Constitution and seek to destabilize the country in conjunction with external powers. They will become a symbol for those who believe in peaceful negotiations. They will be placed over the eyes.
Regardless of the causes and contributing factors, the harsh truth is that religious extremism is a problem in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and religious terrorism and Baloch separatists are a major issue in Balochistan. These activities are fully financed and supported by regional and international proxies. Given this situation, it appears that the government has had enough and has moved swiftly to address both the nation’s security and the problems that its citizens are facing at every level. Those who have been peacefully defending their rights need also to be heard seriously and their problems should be resolved on priority. In this regard, it is also necessary to pay attention that the provincial governments of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa realize their responsibilities and should give up the attitude of being spectators because the interest and performance of these two governments cannot be described as satisfactory.