RAWALPINDI, September 17: Security forces killed 10 militants belonging to what the military described as the Indian-sponsored Fitna-Al-Khwarij in multiple engagements across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between September 15 and 17, while six soldiers were martyred after an improvised explosive device (IED) struck a security forces convoy, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
According to the military’s media wing, an intelligence-based operation was conducted in North Waziristan district following reports about the presence of militants in the area.
During the operation, security forces engaged the militants’ location, triggering an intense exchange of fire in which six militants belonging to Fitna-Al-Khwarij were killed, ISPR said.
In a separate encounter in Hangu district, security forces killed four more militants, taking the total number killed during the engagements to 10.
ISPR said that on September 17, an improvised explosive device exploded on a security forces convoy, resulting in the martyrdom of six soldiers.
The military’s media wing said weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed militants, who, according to the statement, had remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.
Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other militants found in the area, ISPR said.
The military said Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace.
According to ISPR, security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
The military’s media wing said the sacrifices of the soldiers further reinforced the security forces’ unwavering commitment to safeguarding the country at all costs.