Security forces kill two militants in Pakistan’s northwestern province

A Pakistani army soldier mans a position at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border near Big Ben post in Khyber district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province August 3, 2021. (AFP/File)
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Updated 11 October 2023
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Security forces kill two militants in Pakistan’s northwestern province

  • The ISPR an intelligence-based operation was carried out in Kulachi in which a known militant commander lost his life
  • The second encounter took place in Miran Shah where a militant hideout was targeted and another combatant was killed

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s security forces killed two militants after carrying out two separate operations in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the army’s media wing, ISPR, said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Both operations were carried out on the night of October 9 and led to intense exchange of fire. The first intelligence-based operation was conducted in general area of Kulachi in Dera Ismail Khan district where a known militant leader, Ikram, was killed after heavy fighting.

The second encounter took place in Miran Shah, located in North Waziristan district, where a militant hideout was targeted and led to the killing of another combatant.

“[Ikram] remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces including the recent terrorist attacks on Police Station Hathala & Rori Police Check Post,” said the ISPR statement.

“Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists,” it continued.

The ISPR said the residents of both areas appreciated the operations and “expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism” from the country.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant violence in recent days.

Much of the militant activity has taken place in the western provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that border Afghanistan.

The two provinces have also experienced major suicide attacks in recent weeks, targeting religious congregations that killed nearly 60 people.


Pakistan Navy tests missile, loitering munitions and unmanned vessel at Arabian Sea

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Pakistan Navy tests missile, loitering munitions and unmanned vessel at Arabian Sea

  • The exercise reflects growing focus on air defense and autonomous systems in modern warfare

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s navy conducted live firing of a surface-to-air missile, tested loitering munitions and carried out open-sea trials of an unmanned surface vessel during a major exercise in the North Arabian Sea on Saturday, highlighting a growing focus on air defense and unmanned warfare amid evolving regional security dynamics.

The exercise, which demonstrated both conventional and autonomous capabilities, comes at a time when Pakistan is increasingly emphasizing advanced technology and multi-domain operations following last year’s four-day conflict with nuclear-armed India, which reinforced the importance of air defense, surveillance and precision strike systems.

“Pakistan Navy demonstrated its operational readiness and combat preparedness through a comprehensive exercise in the North Arabian Sea, showcasing both conventional and unmanned capabilities, as per dictates of evolving naval warfare,” the Navy’s Directorate General Public Relations said in a statement.

“The exercise included the successful live firing of LY-80(N) Surface to Air Missile (SAM) from Vertical Launching System at extended range, validating the long-range capabilities of Pakistan Navy’s modern air defense systems,” it added. “LY-80(N) SAM successfully engaged and neutralized an aerial target, demonstrating Pakistan Navy’s robust air defense capabilities.”

The statement said the exercise also featured the successful engagement of surface targets using a loitering munition, which it said demonstrated the navy’s precision strike capability.

“Successful open-sea trials of Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) were also conducted, marking a significant leap in autonomous naval technology,” it continued. “The trials validated the platform’s ability to combine high-speed performance with mission-critical durability.”

Pakistan’s armed forces routinely hold large-scale exercises to enhance operational readiness, but recent drills have placed greater emphasis on emerging technologies, reflecting lessons drawn from modern conflicts.

Key capabilities demonstrated during the exercise included extreme maneuverability, precision navigation and weather resilience.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf commended officers and men of the Pakistan Navy for their professionalism and operational competence, reiterating the navy’s resolve to ensure the seaward defense of the country and safeguard its maritime interests.