Two terrorists eliminated in exchange of fire in North Waziristan

Two terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire between security forces and armed assailants in the general area of Esham in the North Waziristan district, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Friday. 

As per the military's media wing, weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain terrorists.

"The killed terrorists remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces," read the statement. 

It added that the incident re-vindicates Pakistan Army's resolve to have zero tolerance for terrorism in Pakistan and reaffirms its determination to take on any and all entities that resort to violence.

Last week, in the same district, a terrorist was gunned down during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan.

The operation was conducted in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali area, according to ISPR. When the security forces approached the terrorists, they retaliated.

In response, an intense fire exchange took place between the troops and terrorists. After killing the armed assailants, the forces also recovered weapons and ammunition.

"The killed terrorists remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces and [the] killing of innocent citizens," the military's media wing added.

The development comes as the country is facing rising insurgency, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, after the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with Islamabad in November.

Since the start of the war on terror, Pakistan has had over 87,000 casualties. Those martyred included innocent civilians, armed forces and police and other civil armed forces personnel.

The security forces are conducting back-to-back operations to eliminate militants, however, terrorist attacks have seen a rise in the last five months, which have also taken the lives of scores of citizens.

The TTP, according to reports, regrouped in Afghanistan after the Taliban's takeover, with Pakistan repeatedly asking the government in the neighbouring country to ensure that its soil isn't used for terrorism. But the Taliban-led government has not been able to live up to the expectations.

The activities of militants have been mainly focused in Balochistan and KP, with the former accounting for 31% of the attacks during the last year and the latter 67%, according to Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.

In response to the rising terror attacks, the National Security Committee (NSC) decided that no country will be allowed to provide sanctuaries and facilitation to terrorists and Pakistan reserves all rights to safeguard its people.

The forum also reiterated its resolve to have zero tolerance for terrorism in Pakistan and reaffirmed its determination to take on any and all entities that resort to violence.