Three troops of the Pakistan Army, including a major, were martyred on Wednesday during an intelligence-based operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district that also resulted in the killing of eight terrorists, announced the military’s media wing.
“On Oct. 30, 2024, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Bakka Khel, Bannu district on the reported presence of khwarij [terrorist],” read a statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). It said Army troops had effectively engaged the militants’ location, sending eight of them “to hell,” and injuring seven others.
However, it added, Major Atif Khalil, 31, resident of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, “a brave officer who was leading his troops from front, fought gallantly and embraced shahadat along with his two men” during the intense exchange of fire. The two soldiers who embraced martyrdom were identified as Naik Azadullah, 36, resident of district Karak and Lance Naik Ghazanfar Abbas, 35, resident of district Layyah.
The military’s media wing said a sanitization operation to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area was ongoing. It emphasized that security forces of Pakistan were determined to eradicate terrorism from the country, adding such sacrifices of brave soldiers further strengthened this resolve.
Also on Wednesday, the ISPR announced that security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Sambaza area of Balochistan’s Zhob district on the reported presence of terrorists. “During conduct of the operation, intense fire exchange took place between own troops and Khwarij, as a result of which, one Kharji was sent to hell, while one Kharji was apprehended in injured condition,” it said, adding weapons and ammunition were recovered from them.
The military’s media wing said a sanitization operation was underway to neutralize any other terrorists present in the area. “Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan,” it added.
Pakistan is currently in the midst of a terror resurgence, particularly in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. The government has vowed to tackle the threat, said to be emerging from Afghanistan following the return to power in Kabul of the Taliban, through Operation Azm-e-Istehkam.