50 terrorists killed in 4-day security operation in southwest Pakistan
PTI
Last Updated:
Islamabad, Aug 13 (PTI) Pakistani security forces killed 50 terrorists in a four-day operation in the border region of the troubled Balochistan province.
The army said in an overnight statement that the terrorists were targeted on different occasions from August 7 to 11 in the Sambaza area of Zhob district along the border with Afghanistan.
Using the term for the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, it said that '47 khwarij were sent to hell," following successful engagements by the security forces from August 7-9.
Following this, a sanitisation operation was conducted in the surrounding areas of Sambaza along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on the intervening night of August 10-11.
During the operation, three more terrorists were 'successfully neutralised", it said, adding that weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from those killed.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday commended the security forces for carrying out the successful operation, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
Separately, nine security personnel including an officer were killed and six others injured on Monday night when their convoy was ambushed in Balochistan's southern Washuk district bordering Iran, the Dawn newspaper reported, quoting officials.
There has been no official statement by the army on the incident so far.
In Washuk, militants also attempted to attack a police station which was recently handed over to the police, the report said, adding that three policemen were injured in the incident, but security personnel managed to thwart the attack. PTI SH GRS GRS GRS
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Hindustan Times
5 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
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5 minutes ago
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Since its inception in 1980, the scheme has covered 1,71,689 freedom fighters, with the ministry of home affairs disbursing Rs 599 crore in 2024-25. Telangana accounts for the largest number of surviving freedom fighters (3,017), followed by West Bengal, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu. Most widows are also in Telangana, followed by Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Bihar. The scheme covers those who participated in about 40 recognised events of the freedom struggle between 1857 and 1947. Eligibility requires a minimum of six months' imprisonment in mainland jails before independence, reduced to three months for women and SC/ST fighters. Those who went underground for six months or more are also covered. The Indian Council of Historical Research in Delhi maintains the official 'Dictionary of Martyrs: Indian Freedom Struggle". Democracy Fighters: The Next to Fade The state's 'democracy fighters"—those who resisted the Emergency (1975-77) and are recognised under the Democracy Fighters' Pension Scheme—are also ageing fast. Their numbers fell from 5,206 in December 2020 to 4,520 in August 2025, a loss of 686 individuals, or 171 per year on average. 'At this pace, Uttar Pradesh may see its last democracy fighter between 2040 and 2045," Mishra said. Most of them are now in their 70s. The number of dependents in this category, however, has increased from 801 in 2020 to 1,160 in 2024. Democracy fighters receive Rs 20,000 per month in pensions. In 2023-24, Rs 30 lakh was allocated for transport benefits, with Rs 51,58,975 spent—indicating pending claims and backlog payments. An End of Living Memory The combined number of freedom fighters and their dependents fell from 1,314 in 2020 to 905 in 2024. For democracy fighters and their dependents, the drop was from 6,007 in 2020 to 5,680 in 2024. Under government rules, 3% reservation in government jobs is available for up to three generations of freedom fighters. Widows and unmarried daughters of both freedom fighters and democracy fighters are also entitled to pension benefits. top videos View all Yet the official benefits tell only part of the story. Freedom fighters, most born in the early 1920s or before, are now in their late 80s to 100s. Democracy fighters, largely aged between 65 and 85, are also approaching the limits of time. 'These people are not just pensioners," Mishra said. 'They are the living witnesses to the courage and sacrifices that built our republic." On this Independence Day, Dharam Raj will be there, leaning on his stick, eyes fixed on the tricolour. 'We fought so that generations after us would live free," he says. 'My only wish now is that they remember what it took to get here. Freedom is not given—it is earned, and it must be guarded every day." Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : freedom fighter independence day Mahatma Gandhi uttar pradesh view comments Location : Lucknow, India, India First Published: August 15, 2025, 07:00 IST News india Fading Flag Bearers Of Independence: Just 15 Freedom Fighters Survive In Uttar Pradesh Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
