Security forces on Tuesday killed five terrorists in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bara area, while two more were killed in an operation in Balochistan’s Chagai, according to security sources.

Large quantities of weapons and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists, who belonged to Fitna al Khawarij, security sources said on the operation in Bara.

Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. “As a result of the security forces’ operation, Fitna al Khawarij hideouts were completely destroyed,” security sources said.

“Security forces remain committed to the complete eradication of the scourge of terrorism from the country and the establishment of lasting peace.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan TV, citing security sources, reported that security forces killed two terrorists in operations in Balochistan’s Chagai.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement on Tuesday, commended security forces for successful operations in KP and Balochistan, according to Radio Pakistan.

He said the security forces had demonstrated their professional capabilities, courage and bravery, adding that the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with its brave security forces in the fight against terrorism.

PM further said that operations would continue until terrorism was completely eliminated from the country.

President Asif Ali Zardari also paid tribute to the security forces and law enforcement agencies for their successful operations in KP and Balochistan, state-run APP reported.

In a statement, the president said “the entire nation was proud of the courage of the security forces and law enforcement personnel”, stressing that anti-terror operations would continue with full force until the eradication of terrorism.

The president said the Pakistani nation and its valiant armed forces were capable of and determined to foil the designs of the enemies of peace and stability in Pakistan, the region and the world.

He reiterated that, with the cooperation of friendly countries and allies, every effort by enemies of peace and stability would be thwarted.

The engagement comes two days after more than 71 terrorists were killed in Shaban and other areas of Balochistan, according to the military’s media affairs wing.

On Sept 20, two officers and four others were martyred while eight terrorists were killed in a fire exchange in KP’s Hangu. On Sept 17, security forces killed 10 terrorists in separate operations in KP between Sept 15 and 17. Earlier in the month, over 20 terrorists were killed during multiple engagements in KP between Sept 3 and 5.

According to the monthly data by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), at least 378 people were killed as the number of terrorist attacks rose in August.

The data also showed that operations by security forces resulted in the elimination of 203 terrorists while 54 security personnel were martyred, marking a decrease compared to July. According to the report, Balochistan remained the “most affected” province, followed by KP.