Peshawar: A soldier and eight militants were killed during multiple engagements by security forces in Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province bordering Afghanistan, the military said on Monday.
According to Kuwait News Agency, an intelligence-based operation was conducted by the forces in the general area of Mir Ali in North Waziristan tribal district of KPK.
During the conduct of the operation, security forces effectively engaged the militants' location, resulting in the deaths of three militants. Moreover, in another security operation conducted in the South Waziristan tribal district of KPK, two militants were successfully neutralized by the security forces. However, during an intense fire exchange, one soldier fought gallantly and embraced martyrdom, ISPR confirmed.
It further stated that two more engagements took place between the troops and the militants in the Khyber and Bannu districts, resulting in the killing of three more militants. Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were also recovered from the terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area against the security forces as well as target killing of innocent civilians, stated ISPR. Operations are being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area.
The security forces of Pakistan were determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism, and such sacrifices of brave soldiers further strengthened their resolve, the release by ISPR concluded. Earlier on Saturday, Pakistan military confirmed that at least five militants were killed while two others were apprehended during three separate operations in KPK.
The security operation coincides with a rise in terror attacks across Pakistan, especially in KPK and Balochistan provinces bordering Afghanistan.