ISLAMABAD: Two soldiers, two police officers and three militants were killed on Wednesday during a joint intelligence-based operation in Pakistan’s northwestern Peshawar district, the army’s media wing said.
The joint operation was conducted by police and security forces in Peshawar district’s Hassan Khel area on the reported presence of a “high-level terrorist,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
The army said three militants, including “high-value terrorist” Commander Abdul Raheem were also killed in the operation. It said weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants.
“Terrorist Commander Abdul Raheem was highly wanted by the Law Enforcement Agencies,” the ISPR said, adding that the government had fixed head money of Rs6 million [$21547] on Raheem as he was “actively involved” in militant activities.
The army’s media wing said Raheem was also involved in the killing of Captain Hussain Jahangir and Havaldar Shafiq Ullah, both of whom were targeted in an intelligence-based operation on May 26 this year.
“Today’s operation has avenged the heinous act and has brought the main perpetrator to justice,” the ISPR said.
Pakistan Army soldiers Sepoy Muhammad Idrees, 34 and Sepoy Badam Gul, 34 were killed in the exchange of fire, the army said.
Sub-Inspector Tajmir Shah, 38 and Assistant Sub-Inspector Muhammad Akram, 34 of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) were also killed during the operation while fighting valiantly, the army said.
“Pakistan’s Security Forces stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other law enforcement agencies to ensure peace and stability across Pakistan and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR said.
Pakistan has suffered a surge in attacks on its western fronts bordering Afghanistan since November 2022 after its fragile truce with the Pakistani Taliban or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke down.
The TTP has carried out some of the deadliest attacks against Pakistan’s security forces and civilians since 2007 in its bid to impose its strict brand of Islam.
Islamabad blames the Afghan government for sheltering TTP militants and providing them sanctuaries in Afghanistan to launch attacks in Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies.
Pakistan has repeatedly vowed it would not hold talks with militants and would root out militancy in the country.
Pakistan last month announced it would launch a new military operation, Operation “Azm-e-Istehkam” or Resolve for Stability, to eliminate militants once and for all.
