Islamabad: The Pakistani army announced that 11 soldiers, including two officers, were killed alongside 19 militants during a security operation in the north of the country near the Afghan border.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement detailing the operation. Security forces launched an intelligence-led mission in the Orakzai area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province following reports of militants allegedly linked to an "Indian-backed" group.
The army reported that troops successfully eliminated 19 militants amid intense clashes, resulting in the deaths of two commanding officers and nine soldiers. Combing operations are ongoing in the area to eliminate any remaining armed elements, as stated in the report.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating groups it described as Indian-backed, emphasizing that the sacrifices made by its soldiers would bolster its resolve to continue counterterrorism efforts. This operation follows a recent increase in militant attacks across Pakistan, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces near the Afghan border.
Last month, a suicide bombing near the Frontier Corps headquarters in Quetta resulted in 10 fatalities and injured 32 others.