Security forces successfully neutralized nine terrorists, including two suicide bombers and a high-value target (HVT), during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The operation, conducted on the night of October 23-24, resulted in the death of the notorious terrorist ring leader, Said Muhammad alias “Qureshi Ustad,” after a fierce gunfight, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday.
The terrorists, described as “khawarij,” were involved in multiple attacks on security forces and civilians. During the ongoing sanitization process, large quantities of weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the site.
The ISPR reiterated the security forces’ determination to eradicate terrorism from the country.
This operation follows a series of counter-terrorism efforts, including the arrest of five militants in Balochistan’s Pishin district and the killing of two terrorists in Zhob district last week. The IBOs are part of the government’s comprehensive strategy to address the recent surge in terrorist activities.
According to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), fatalities from terrorist incidents in 2024 have surpassed those recorded in 2023, with 1,534 deaths so far compared to last year’s 1,523. Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain the most affected regions in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
