ISLAMABAD: Four militants and a soldier were killed on Saturday, said the military’s media wing, ISPR, in a statement, as security forces launched an intelligence-based operation in the Jani Khel area of Bannu district.

Pakistan has witnessed a resurgence of militant violence in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. Much of these attacks have been launched by a proscribed militant network, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whose leadership is said to be based in the neighboring country.

Last month, there was also a hostage crisis in Bannu after TTP detainees overpowered guards at a counterterrorism center and seized control of the facility.

Pakistan’s security forces have resumed small-scale operations against the network to prevent its members to further escalate their activities.

“During the conduct of the operation,” said the ISPR statement, “intense fire exchange took place between the troops and terrorists … Resultantly, four terrorists were killed and weapon and ammunition were also recovered from them.”

The ISPR said the dead militants were “actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces” and civilians.

“During intense exchange of fire,” it added, “Sepoy Muhammad Wasim (age 25 years, resident of Khairpur) having fought gallantly, embraced shahadat [martyrdom]. Sanitization of the area is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area.”

Pakistan’s new army chief General Asim Munir encouraged all stakeholders to reach “national consensus” on Saturday while mentioning the recent surge in militant attacks in the country.