ISLAMABAD: Six Pakistani soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel, and eight militants were killed in separate encounters in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the Pakistani military said on Saturday.
A fire exchange took place between security forces and militants in Spinwam area of KP’s North Waziristan district that borders Afghanistan, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
Lt. Col. Muhammad Ali Shoukat, who the military said was leading the troops, was among the Pakistani soldiers killed in the encounter. Six militants were also killed in the gunfight.
“Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji [militant] found in the area,” the ISPR said in a statement. “Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.”
Separately, two militants were killed and another one was apprehended in a joint intelligence-based operation in KP’s Swat district, the military said on Saturday.
The operation was jointly conducted with law enforcement agencies in Charbagh area of the Swat district, according to the ISPR. The deceased militants included Atta Ullah alias Mehran who was involved in multiple militant activities, including a bomb attack in Swat on a convoy of foreign diplomats last month that killed one police officer.
Swat — a snow-capped mountain valley split by turquoise waters — is one of Pakistan’s most famed beauty spots, but its reputation has a dark side.
In 2012, Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by the Pakistani Taliban while campaigning as a schoolgirl for education in the same district that later earned her the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Pakistani Taliba historically have roots in Afghanistan and share the same ideology as the Afghan Taliban. From 2007 to 2009, they killed thousands of civilians and seized control of several areas of Swat Valley before being driven back by the military.
Pakistan has seen a rise in militant attacks in recent months and says militants mainly associated with the Pakistani Taliban frequently launch attacks from hideouts in neighboring Afghanistan, targeting police and other security forces.
Islamabad has even blamed Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers for facilitating anti-Pakistan militants. Kabul denies the charges.
Senior army officer among six soldiers killed in gunfight with militants — Pakistani military
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Senior army officer among six soldiers killed in gunfight with militants — Pakistani military
- The encounter also left six militants dead in the North Waziristan district that borders Afghanistan
- Pakistan blames surge in militancy on groups operating from Afghanistan, Kabul denies the allegation
Islamabad police review security, order heightened measures during Ramadan
- Inspector General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi orders tighter security at mosques, markets and commercial centers
- The police chief calls for extra personnel at city entry points and patrols during Sahoor, Iftar and Taraweeh
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s capital police chief directed officials to tighten security measures to protect mosques, markets and commercial centers during the holy month of Ramadan, an official statement said, as the country has witnessed a surge in militant violence and protests in the wake of the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel.
The move comes days after protesters in Islamabad briefly breached the Red Zone, a high-security area with government and diplomatic facilities, on Sunday. Last month, at least 32 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a mosque and imambargah on the outskirts of the capital.
Inspector General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi chaired an Operational Commanders Conference at the Safe City Islamabad Headquarters to review security arrangements for the second phase of Ramadan, according to the police spokesperson.
“Special security for places of worship must be ensured during the holy month of Ramadan,” he was quoted as saying in the statement circulated by the police. “Security of key installations, markets and commercial centers should be further strengthened.”
He directed officials to ensure strict checks at the city’s entry and exit points, with additional police personnel deployed during Sahoor, Iftar and Taraweeh timings.
Rizvi called for “effective monitoring” across the city through safe city cameras, urging police patrol units to remain vigilant and active.
The capital police chief said additional traffic policemen should also be deployed around major highways.
“Islamabad Police remain fully committed to protecting the lives and property of citizens,” the statement quoted him as saying.
