Pakistan says six militants killed in intelligence-based operation in Dera Ismail Khan
By The South Asia Times
ISLAMABAD - Pakistani security forces killed six militants in an intelligence-based operation in the northwestern district of Dera Ismail Khan, while two soldiers were martyred during an exchange of fire, the military said on Sunday.
The operation was conducted on October 24 in the Zarkani area of Dera Ismail Khan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province following reports of the presence of militants, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The military identified the two soldiers martyred in the operation as Naik Ghulam Murtaza, 36, from Gujrat district, and Sepoy Taseer Ahmed, 30, from Talagang district. Both died during what the statement described as an intense exchange of fire.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants, who the military said had been involved in attacks against security forces, law enforcement personnel and civilians.
The ISPR described the militants as members of “Fitna al Khwarij,” a term used by Pakistani authorities for terrorists of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and associated militant groups. The military also alleged that the group was backed by India.
A follow-up search operation was under way to locate any other militants in the area, the military said.
The operation is part of Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” framework, approved by the country’s Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.
Pakistan has faced a resurgence of militant violence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where security personnel and civilians have been targeted in recent years.
The military said counterterrorism operations would continue to eliminate what it described as foreign-sponsored militancy and reaffirmed its commitment to national security.
