ISLAMABAD: As many as five militants and a soldier of the Pakistan Army were killed in an exchange of fire during an intelligence-based operation in the northwestern North Waziristan region. 

Pakistani security forces conducted an (IBO) on Sunday after the reported presence of militants in North Waziristan District, a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

“The five terrorists who were killed during an intense exchange of fire were identified as Terrorist Habib Nawaz alias Shakil, Terrorist Waheed Ullah, Terrorist Abdur Rehman, Terrorist Muhammad Ullah whereas the identification of fifth terrorist was in progress,” the statement added. “The killed terrorists were involved in terrorist activities against security forces, target killing and kidnapping for ransom.”

Sepoy Shabbir Ahmed, 28, a resident of Quetta, “fought gallantly and inflicting casualties upon the terrorists, embraced shahadat (martyrdom) during intense fire exchange,” the statement said. 

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the militants, including sub-machine guns, hand grenades and a large quantity of multiple calibre rounds.