54 terrorists killed as Pakistan foils border infiltration attempt

Rawalpindi: Security forces foiled an attempt to infiltrate the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and killed at least 54 terrorists in the Hassan Khel area of North Waziristan district, the military's media wing said on Sunday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the security forces picked up movement of a group of militants, who were trying to infiltrate through the Pak-Afghanistan border in the general area of Hassan Khel, North Waziristan district, on the night between April 25, 26 and 27.

"Own troops effectively engaged and thwarted their attempt to infiltrate. As a result of precise and skillful engagement, all 54 khawarij have been sent to hell," it said.

Fitna Al Khawarij is a term the state uses to refer to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The security forces also recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives from the killed terrorists.

"Intelligence reports indicate that this group of khawarij was specifically infiltrating on behest of their 'foreign masters' to undertake high-profile terrorist activities inside Pakistan," the ISPR said.

It added that such actions by terrorists, at a time when India is levelling baseless accusations against Pakistan, clearly imply on whose cues they are operating. "Such actions amount to treason and betrayal against the state and its citizens."

Referring to the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, the ISPR said it underscored the fact that distracting Pakistan’s security forces from their focus on the war against terror seems to be the strategic intent of India to allow a breathing space to terrorists "which is reeling from the onslaught of our armed forces resolute offensive against them".

"The security forces demonstrated exceptional professionalism, vigilance and preparedness and prevented a potential catastrophe," it added.

The statement noted that this was the highest-ever number of terrorists killed by the security forces in a single engagement during entire campaign against terrorism.

"Security forces remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation’s frontiers and to eradicate the menace of terrorism," it said, adding such bold and decisive actions further strengthen collective resolve and underscore that Pakistan is winning the war against terrorism.