RAWALPINDI (MNN); Security forces killed five Fitna al Khawarij terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the Khar area of Bajaur district on December 29, while an army officer was martyred during a fierce exchange of fire, the military’s media wing said on Monday.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was launched on the basis of credible intelligence regarding the presence of Indian-sponsored Khawarij militants in the area. During the operation, troops engaged the terrorists, resulting in the elimination of five militants.
However, during the intense gun battle, Major Adeel Zaman, aged 36 and a resident of Dera Ismail Khan, embraced martyrdom while leading his troops from the front. ISPR said the officer displayed exceptional courage and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
The security forces recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition from the killed terrorists, who were reportedly involved in multiple attacks against security forces, law enforcement agencies and civilians. ISPR added that sanitisation operations were ongoing in the area to eliminate any remaining militants.
Reaffirming its resolve, the military said the ongoing counterterrorism drive under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam,” approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, would continue with full force to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a police official was martyred in a targeted gun attack in the Wanda Jogi area of Lakki Marwat district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday.
District police spokesperson Qudratullah said the officer was on his way to duty in a private pickup when armed terrorists riding motorcycles intercepted the vehicle and opened fire. The incident took place within the jurisdiction of Shaheed Haibat Ali Khan police station in Darra Pezu.
The martyred officer was identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Mumtaz Ali, who was serving as muharir at the City Police Station in Tank. The attackers managed to escape, while police launched a search operation in the area.
The body of the deceased was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for medico-legal formalities. Later, funeral prayers were offered at the police lines in the District Headquarters Complex in Tajazai.
Security officials said several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have witnessed a surge in terrorist incidents in recent weeks, particularly targeting police personnel. On Saturday, police confirmed the killing of a wanted terrorist commander during an ongoing operation in Lakki Marwat, while a day earlier, armed locals and police forces jointly eliminated six terrorists in the same region.
