Pakistan Army announced on Monday the successful completion of Operation Khyber-4, saying ground objectives in Rajgal and Shawal valleys had been achieved. “Every single terrorist was on target of the security forces,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor told journalists at a news conference on Monday.
On July 16, army launched the major ground offensive in one of the last two remaining pockets in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan as part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to establish state writ in the region and also deny Da’ish any space in the country.
“There is no organised infrastructure of any terrorist organisation in the country,” the DG said.
“52 terrorists were killed during the Khyber-4 offensive, while 31 were injured. “Four militants handed themselves to the forces, he added.
“Militants tasked with inciting sectarianism were working at the behest of Indian spy agency RAW and Afghan NDS.”
Maj Gen Asif said that as many as 152 landmines were also dismantled during the operation. “Khyber-4 followed three earlier operations in Khyber Agency.” Now, the process of clearance is underway in the agency, he said and added that 91 check-posts have been established in Rajgal valley.
“Ready improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also recovered by the security forces,” the DG said and added that one of the IED material had letters inscribed on it, suggesting it was Indian made.
“As many as 250 cross border attacks from Afghanistan have been foiled during the current year.”
Mag Gen Asif also announced that the militant involved in perpetrating a suicide attack on Chief Minister Punjab had been apprehended.
The DG said that India wants to label the ongoing freedom movement in held Kashmir as terrorism. However, he added, resistance in the held valley is an internationally-recognised freedom movement.
