Pakistani security forces have killed at least 74 terrorists in operations across the country's northwest and southwest over the past 10 days, the military said on Friday.
The army said 31 terrorists were killed in the Kurram area of Quetta district in southwestern Balochistan province since November 3.
Another 43 were killed in operations in the Mir Ali and Orakzai areas of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province over the past 48 hours, according to two military statements.
Troops also recovered weapons, ammunition and explosives, including improvised explosive devices, during clearance operations.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces and pledged to continue the campaign against terrorism.
Tensions with Afghanistan remain high
The military described those killed as “Khawarij”, a term used by Pakistan's government for terrorists it accuses of receiving support from Afghanistan, including members of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Kabul rejects the allegations.
Many TTP terror group’s leaders and members are believed to operate from hideouts across the Afghan border, a longstanding source of tension between Islamabad and Kabul.
The latest operations came two days after a group of terrorists killed 10 police officers in an attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kohat district on Wednesday, according to the police statement.
