ISLAMABAD, May 18 (APP): The security forces have killed 27 terrorists including their three top area commanders in the last 24 hours in Malakand Division where a ground offensive on Monday was initiated against the militant terrorists. According to Director General ISPR Major General Athar Abbas the area commanders have been identified as Okasha, Malanga and Riaz. Briefing the media here on the ongoing Operation Rahe Rast, he said three Security Forces personnel including an officer embraced Shahdat while 17 soldiers were injured.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Uz Zaman Kaira, Secretary Information and Broadcasting Ashfaq Ahmed Gondal, Principal Information Officer Mian Shabbir Anwar and Director Special Support Group Brig Aamir were also present.

Fierce clashes are taking place in different areas, where the troops have started ground offensive after conclusion of air campaign and strikes with heavy artillery on the militants hideouts, ammunition dumps and training camps in the scattered and isolated places of the Malakand Division, he said.

“Security Forces are engaged with miscreants‑terrorists inside Kanju town to clear and secure the area”, he said.  Security forces are expanding their foothold in Peochar valley besides attacking and securing Dumber Training Centre, which was also being used by miscreants as their logistic base. Reportedly 12 miscreant‑terrorists were killed in the clashes, he said.

Operation is in progress in Takhtaband area where in a close encounter, seven terrorists were killed including important commanders Malanga and Riaz.  Body of Malanga is lying with security forces, he said.

The militants hideouts in Mam Dherai was targeted effectively where reportedly 10‑15 terrorists hiding inside have been killed. The Security Forces are continuing with cordon and search operations in Matta Town, he added.

When his comments were sought on various reports published in the foreign media, he said in firm tone that the whole nation has all confidence in the National Security Forces which have all the capability to handle the situation in professional manner.

“Such statements, coming in the foreign media are only meant to put more pressure on us but nothing more ‑ We have the national security and integrity on our priority agenda and the security forces are mindful of their responsibility”, he said.

He said the National Security institutions of the country know well about their priorities and all the deployments are made strictly in accordance with the need and requirement of the situation.

He said that the utmost care is being exercised not to engage the civil population areas with the aim to avoid collateral damage while the terrorists would be taken to task in the street fight which has been launched.

Answering a question regarding the alleged involvement of some government agency in the killing of five security personnel including two officers, he said, investigations into the incident are in progress.

About the award of medals and commendations to those security personnel who laid their lives in the operation, he said, the operation is continuing and all such considerations would be made only after its conclusion.

When asked whether any high value target was arrested during the operation, he said that so far no such arrest could be made while those arrested are merely fighting militants.