ISLAMABAD: One soldier was killed while seven militants were gunned down in northwestern Pakistan this week during separate intelligence-based operations, the army’s media wing said on Wednesday.
Both operations took place in the restive North Waziristan district in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province bordering Afghanistan between Dec. 10-11, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
Four militants were killed in the first operation in Miran Shah, North Waziristan, while three others were gunned down in the second operation in Spinwam area in the same district.
“However, during the intense fire exchange, one brave son of soil, Lance Naik Muhammad Amin (age: 34 years, resident of District Faisalabad), having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat,” the ISPR said.
It said that a sanitization operation was being conducted in the district to eliminate any other militants found in the area.
“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 ISPR said.
Pakistan has struggled to contain surging militancy in its northwestern KP and southwestern Balochistan provinces since November 2022, when a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban and the state broke down.
The Pakistani Taliban have since then increased attacks against Pakistan’s security forces, souring Islamabad’s ties with Kabul, whom it accuses of providing sanctuary to militants.
Afghanistan denies Pakistan’s allegations and has asked Islamabad to resolve its security challenges internally.
One soldier, seven militants killed in security operations in northwest Pakistan — army
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One soldier, seven militants killed in security operations in northwest Pakistan — army
- Both operations were conducted in Pakistan’s North Waziristan district bordering Afghanistan
- Pakistan blames Afghanistan for providing sanctuary to militants, a charge that Kabul denies
Pakistan says defense pact with Saudi Arabia elevated brotherly ties to ‘new heights’
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia signed strategic defense pact last year pledging aggression against one will be treated as attack on both
- Deputy PM Ishaq Dar says enduring bonds with Islamic and Arab nations form vital pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Wednesday that Pakistan’s defense pact with Saudi Arabia elevated its brotherly ties with the Kingdom to “new heights,” stressing that close ties with Arab and Islamic nations form a key pillar of Islamabad’s foreign policy.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement on Sept. 17 last year, pledging that aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both, enhancing joint deterrence and formalizing decades of military and security cooperation.
Both nations agreed in October 2025 to launch an economic cooperation framework to strengthen trade and investment ties.
“In the Middle East, our landmark Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia has elevated our brotherly ties to new heights,” Dar said while speaking at the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 event in Islamabad.
The Pakistani deputy prime minister was speaking on the topic “Navigating International Relations Amidst Changing Geo-Politics.”
Dar noted that Pakistan has reinforced partnerships with other Middle Eastern nations such as the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Egypt and Bahrain. He said these partnerships have yielded “concrete agreements” in investment, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
“Our enduring bonds with Islamic and Arab nations form a vital pillar of our foreign policy, and we will continue to expand our partnerships across Asia, Latin America, and Africa,” he said.
Dar pointed out that the presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have undertaken visits to Pakistan in recent months, reflecting Central Asian nations’ desire to boost cooperation with Islamabad.
On South Asia, the Pakistani deputy PM said Pakistan has successfully transformed its fraternal ties with Bangladesh into “a substantive partnership.”
“Similarly, the trilateral mechanism involving China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh has been launched with a view to expanding and deepening regional cooperation and synergy,” the Pakistani minister said.
He said Islamabad has strengthened its “all-weather” partnership with China via the second phase of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor agreement and “unwavering support” from both sides for each other’s core interests.
Dar said Pakistan had also reinvigorated its partnership with the US, advancing cooperation in trade, technology, investment, and regional stability.
“This calibrated approach has enhanced our ability to navigate complexity with skill and confidence, ensuring that our national interests are served without compromising our core foreign policy principles,” he said.
