KURRAM – Eleven Pakistani soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel and a major, have been martyred in a high-stakes intelligence-based operation in Orakzai district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Wednesday.
The operation targeted Khawarij militants linked to the Indian-backed group, Fitna al Khwarij. In a fierce encounter, security forces eliminated 19 militants, with follow-up sweeps conducted to ensure no threats remained.
Among the brave souls lost were 39-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Arif, who led his troops from the front, and his deputy Major Tayyab Rahat (33), along with nine other soldiers who paid the ultimate price for the nation.
PM Shehbaz Sharif condemned the terror attack, vowing that the sacrifices of these fearless soldiers will never be forgotten and pledging to crush terrorism across the country. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also lauded the heroes, calling their courage and dedication “unforgettable.”
The deadly clash comes amid a surge in militant activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, following the collapse of a ceasefire with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in 2022, highlighting the ongoing struggle to protect Pakistan’s security.
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