ISLAMABAD: Four Pakistani soldiers and six militants were killed during a gunbattle in northwestern Pakistan this week, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday, vowing to eliminate the menace of “terrorism” from the country.
The exchange of fire between security forces and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or the Pakistani Taliban militants took place in South Waziristan district in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province on the night of August 12, the military said.
“Resultantly, six Khwarij were sent to hell due to effective engagement by own troops,” the army said, referring to the TTP.
The army said Havildar Nisar Hussain, 34, Naik Rashid Gul, 34, Naik Irfan Ullah Khan, 30 and Sepoy Usman Rafaqat, 21, were killed during the exchange of fire with militants.
“Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area as Security Forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the army’s media wing said.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant activities since the TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, unilaterally called off a fragile ceasefire with the government in November 2022.
Much of the TTP’s militant activity has been confined to the country’s western provinces, prompting security officials to launch intelligence-based operations against its fighters who are reportedly armed with sophisticated military equipment, including night vision devices.
The surge in attacks has also dealt a blow to Pakistan’s ties with Afghanistan, whom Islamabad accuses of providing sanctuary to militants. Kabu denies the allegations and says militant groups do not use Afghan soil to launch attacks against any country.
Pakistan this year launched aerial strikes against what it said were militant groups in Afghanistan, drawing a sharp reaction from the Taliban government. Islamabad has warned Kabul it will carry out cross-border action against militants to protect its citizens.
