Five suspected terrorists killed in Mohmand shootout

MOHMAND AGENCY: Five suspected terrorists were killed in encounter with security forces in Mohmand Agency, ARY News reported.

The shootout occurred in Tehsil Khuwezai in Mohmand when the terrorists attacked security checkpost with heavy weapons.

In retaliation by the forces, five of the terrorists were killed. Sources said some of the gunmen managed to flee after counter-attack by the security personnel.

The Pakistani army launched Operation Zar-e-Azb in 2014 in a bid to wipe out militant bases in the North Waziristan tribal area and bring an end to the near decade-long Islamist insurgency that has cost Pakistan thousands of lives.

Pakistan’s Islamist insurgency began after the US-led invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan in 2001 which led to a spillover of militants across the border and a surge in recruitment for Pakistani extremist groups.

Pakistan’s relative success in fighting militancy stands in marked contrast to Afghanistan, which is facing record numbers of civilian casualties following the withdrawal of NATO combat troops at the end of 2014.