Security forces engaged in a fierce exchange of fire with militants in Hangu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in the deaths of eight terrorists linked to the India-backed Fitna al-Khawarij group. During the confrontation, six Pakistan Army personnel, including Captain Abuzar Farooq and Lieutenant Sheraz Babar, who led their troops bravely from the front, were martyred.
The military’s media wing confirmed that the clash occurred between a security convoy and the militants, with the troops effectively neutralizing the eight insurgents. This incident follows earlier operations between September 15 and 17, during which 10 militants from the same group were killed, and six soldiers lost their lives.
Sanitization operations are ongoing to root out any remaining militants in the area. The armed forces reaffirmed their commitment to the counter-terrorism campaign under the Azm-e-Istehkam initiative, sanctioned by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. This campaign aims to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from Pakistan.
Notably, the sacrifices of the fallen soldiers have strengthened the military’s resolve to protect the nation. Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has experienced a rise in terrorist activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
A report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies highlighted that these two provinces were the primary centers of violence in the second quarter of 2026. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounted for over 61% of violence-related fatalities, with 475 deaths, while Balochistan recorded 265 deaths, representing 34% of the total. The report also noted that KP experienced 151 violent incidents, making up 57% of the national total, followed by Balochistan with 94 incidents or 35%, underscoring the concentration of militant activity in these regions.
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