ISLAMABAD: An army captain among two Pakistani soldiers and eight militants were killed in two separate operations in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the Pakistani military said on Sunday.
Five militants were killed and nine others sustained injuries in an intelligence-based operation in KP’s Bannu district, while a Pakistani soldier died during the gunfight, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
In another operation in the Khyber district, three militants were killed, while two others were apprehended by the security forces. The exchange of fire also killed Captain Muhammad Zohaib Ud Din, who was leading the troops.
“Sanitization operations are 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 from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.”
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan, has witnessed a number of attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups that targeted security forces convoys and check posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
Last month, Pakistani security forces killed four militants in two separate encounters in KP’s North Waziristan district, according to the Pakistani military. In October, nine militants were killed in an overnight raid in the Bajaur tribal district.
Pakistan has frequently accused neighboring Afghanistan of sheltering and supporting militant groups, urging the Taliban administration in Kabul to prevent its territory from being used by armed factions to launch cross-border attacks.
Afghan officials, however, deny involvement, insisting Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.
Army captain among two soldiers, eight militants killed in northwest Pakistan
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Army captain among two soldiers, eight militants killed in northwest Pakistan
- The deaths occurred in separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan
- Pakistan blames the surge in militancy on militants operating out of Afghanistan, Kabul denies it
Pakistan recall Shadab Khan for Sri Lanka T20I series as World Cup looms
- Shadab Khan, 27, last played for Pakistan in June before he underwent a shoulder surgery
- Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Muhammad Rizwan to miss series due to Big Bash League
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Sunday it has named former captain Shadab Khan in the 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series scheduled to take place against Sri Lanka next month, as the Green Shirts prepare for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Khan, 27, last represented Pakistan in June this year before he underwent a shoulder surgery. Khan is currently featuring in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia after going through a rehabilitation program at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
“All-rounder Shadab Khan has returned to the T20I side as the Men’s National Selection Committee named a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to take place later next month,” the PCB said in a statement.
A host of key players such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan have not been included in the series as they are featuring in the BBL.
Uncapped Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay has also been included in the Sri Lanka squad. The 23-year-old right-handed batter has recently been part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad. He has featured in 32 T20 matches and has scored at a strike rate of 132.81.
The Pakistan team will depart for Sri Lanka in the first week of January 2026, with all three T20Is scheduled to be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS) in Dambulla on Jan. 7, 9 and 11.
“The series will provide Pakistan an opportunity to finalize their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March,” the PCB said.
“Pakistan are scheduled to play all their matches in Colombo, Sri Lanka.”
SQUAD:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq
