The security operation in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued for the second day on Wednesday, initial reports said. Residents said that they heard explosions and gunshots in the cantonment area as the operation began in early morning.

The operation was likely to be completed by the security forces today, sources said.

But, the Pakistan Television News said that the situation in Bannu started to return to normal after the successful operation of the security forces against the terrorists in the district.

“Educational institutions were opened. People expressed their satisfaction…,” the state-run news channel said in a tweet.

‘Collective thinking need of the hour’

President Dr Arif Alvi has lauded the security forces for carrying out a “successful operation” against terrorists in Bannu and expressed resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country’s soil, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

In a statement, he termed the success a result of the professionalism of security forces and their unwavering commitment against terrorism.

“The nation will always remember the sacrifices made against terrorism for national defence and security. The entire nation stands with its brave security forces on operations against terrorists,” he said and paid tribute to the officials of the armed forces who were martyred during the operation. Alvi prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured officials.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the state would not surrender to any terrorist group or organisation and vowed that militants would be dealt with according to the Constitution and law.

Condemning the activities of terrorists in Bannu and other areas, he said that such attempts aimed at spreading chaos in Pakistan would be “crushed”.

PM Shehbaz termed terrorism a “crucial issue of national security,” which required collective thinking and a plan of action. The federal government would eliminate the facilitators and hideouts of the terrorists, he added.

The entire nation, he said, would “eradicate” terrorism side by side with the country’s armed forces. He paid tribute to the “valour and determination” of the country’s armed forces fighting against terrorism.

He prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and directed the authorities concerned to provide the best treatment facilities.

“We will not let the sacrifices of the martyrs go to waste,” PM Shehbaz said and mentioned the military operations of Radul Fasaad and Zarb-e-Azb as significant measures to eradicate terrorism. “The great sacrifices of the personnel of armed forces, police, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies are unforgettable.”

The prime minister said though the main responsibility for law and order lies with the provinces, the federation “could not turn a blind eye” to the problems.

He assured the provinces of working along with them in fighting terrorism and vowed to fully implement the National Action Plan to eliminate terrorism. He emphasised enhancing the capacity and efficiency of the provincial governments as crucial in this regard.

Shehbaz said the federal government would assist the provinces in improving the professional capacity of anti-terrorism forces and departments.

He said the restructuring of the KP’s counter-terrorism department would be carried out and all the requirements pertaining to modern weapons and professional training would be ensured.

25 militants killed in Bannu CTD operation: DG ISPR

At least 25 militants were killed in the operation to clear the counter-terrorism department (CTD) centre in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the armed forces media wing spokesperson said.

“Security personnel fought bravely and 25 terrorists were killed in an intense exchange of fire with militants, three were arrested and seven surrendered to the forces,” Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Maj-Gen Ahmed Sharif said in an interview to Geo News late Tuesday.

He added that at least three security officials, including a subedar major who was taken hostage by militants holed up inside the CTD building, were martyred as security forces secured the facility seized by terrorists, including outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan men, over the weekend.

“This operation is a testimony to the Pakistan Army’s bravery and mission against terrorism,” Gen Sharif said.

According to DG ISPR, around 33 terrorists were under investigation in the CTD compound on Dec 18. “One of them snatched a weapon from a CTD officer and got his allies freed. They took hold of the weapons from the armoury and started firing, martyring a CTD officer while one was injured who later passed away,” he said while describing the incident.

One officer, a JCO, of the security forces present inside the complex was taken hostage and other security personnel reached the site and surrounded the complex as soon as they heard the sound of firing. Gen Sharif said two terrorists were killed in the exchange of fire while three who tried to escape were arrested and two security personnel were injured as well.

“Our forces surrounded the entire area and thwarted any attempt by the terrorists to escape. In the last 48 hours, there were all-out attempts for an unconditional surrender from the terrorists who were demanding safe passage to go to Afghanistan.”

He said that such a demand was “completely rejected”, adding that because the terrorists were not ready to surrender their weapons, “forces started an operation on the CTD complex [on Tuesday] during which there was heavy exchange of fire and rooms were cleared out.”

When asked about the resurgence of terrorist activities in Pakistan and the need for another anti-terror operation, he said that the armed forces and law enforcement agencies were determined to root out the fresh wave of terrorism in the country.

He added that they would not allow this wave of terrorism to emerge from the Western side of the region, Afghanistan.

The DG ISPR confirmed that the detained terrorists had seized control of the CTD facility and no one from outside attacked it.

To another query, Maj-Gen Ahmed Sharif said the government and armed forces were very serious about the apparent use of Afghan soil for attacks against Pakistan by outlawed TTP. “Intelligence-based operations are being conducted. All the agencies and institutions are active everywhere on every level.”

When asked about the country’s official position on the banned outfit, he said: “Our official stated position and point of view on TTP has been clearly presented by the Government of Pakistan because no terrorist group or any vigilante group can be allowed to flourish and writ of the state will be maintained at all costs.”

More to follow