Security forces killed 18 militants, including two Afghan nationals, during intelligence-based operations in North Waziristan, while two Pakistan Army soldiers embraced martyrdom following intense exchanges of fire, according to a statement issued by the military’s media wing.
The operations were conducted over the last 12 hours in Ali Khel, Mir Ali, Datta Khel and surrounding areas of North Waziristan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The military identified the militants as members of the Indian-sponsored Fitna-al-Khawarij network.
According to the statement, 12 militants, including two Afghan nationals, were killed in Ali Khel, while two militants each were eliminated in Mir Ali and Datta Khel.
During the engagements, two soldiers lost their lives while fighting the militants. They were identified as:
Havildar Asmat Ali, 43, a resident of Swabi district.
Naik Aftab Ali, 32, a resident of Mardan district.
The military said weapons and ammunition were recovered from the killed militants, who were allegedly involved in several terrorist activities, including attacks on civilians.
Sanitization Operations Continue
Security forces are continuing sanitization operations to locate and eliminate any remaining militants in the affected areas.
The military said counterterrorism operations under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, would continue to counter foreign-sponsored terrorism across the country.