ISLAMABAD(National times)- President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday commended Pakistan\u2019s security forces for successfully eliminating 13 militants affiliated with the India-backed network Fitna al-Khawarij during intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In a statement issued by the Presidency, President Zardari paid rich tribute to the security forces for their courage, professionalism and steadfastness. He applauded the effective intelligence-driven actions undertaken by the Pakistan Army and law-enforcement agencies, calling them a testament to their operational excellence. President Zardari said that the state was ensuring the complete and uncompromising eradication of militants operating under foreign patronage. \u201cThe elimination of India-sponsored extremists is being ensured with full force and firmness of state authority,\u201d he said. He added that the total defeat of externally backed terrorism was being pursued with national consensus and unity of purpose. The president reaffirmed that Pakistan\u2019s security personnel continued to display remarkable bravery and commitment in safeguarding the nation, earning the gratitude of the entire country. The Prime Minister\u2019s Office, in a separate statement, said Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also praised the security forces for carrying out successful operations against Fitna-tul-Khawarij terrorists in Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan. He appreciated the elimination of 13 militants and said the actions reflected the successes being achieved under the government\u2019s Azm-e-Istehkam vision. Prime Minister said the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces in the fight against terrorism. He reiterated the government\u2019s firm resolve to eliminate every form of militancy from Pakistan, stating, \u201cWe remain committed to the complete eradication of terrorism from the country.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD(National times)- President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday commended Pakistan\u2019s security forces for successfully eliminating 13 militants affiliated with the India-backed network Fitna al-Khawarij during intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In a statement issued by the Presidency, President Zardari paid rich tribute to the security forces for their courage, professionalism […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":116256,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-116255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n