Army Major Martyred, Five Militants Killed in North Waziristan IBO
NORTH WAZIRISTAN: A Pakistan Army major was martyred and five suspected militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation in the Razmak area of North Waziristan on Saturday, according to the military’s media wing. The operation was launched after security forces received information about the presence of armed fighters in the mountainous district.
The Inter-Services Public Relations said troops moved into the identified location and encountered resistance from the suspected militants. An intense exchange of fire followed, during which the security forces killed five members of a group the military described as India-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij.
Major Hafiz Ehsan, a resident of Mianwali, lost his life while leading troops during the operation. The military said the officer remained at the front during the engagement, highlighting his role in directing the mission under dangerous battlefield conditions.
Weapons, ammunition and explosive material were recovered from the militants killed in the operation, according to ISPR. The military did not immediately release further information about the identities of the five men or specify whether they were linked to any previously reported attacks in the region.
ISPR reiterated that Pakistan’s security forces remain determined to eliminate terrorism and restore lasting peace across the country. It said the sacrifices made by military personnel strengthen the national resolve to continue operations against armed networks threatening civilians and state institutions.
A sanitisation operation was continuing in the surrounding area to locate any other militants who may have been present near the site of the encounter. Such follow-up searches are conducted to secure nearby routes, inspect suspected hideouts and prevent surviving members of an armed group from regrouping after an operation.
North Waziristan has remained a major focus of Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign because of its rugged terrain and proximity to the Afghan border. Security forces have carried out repeated intelligence-led missions in the district to dismantle militant cells, destroy hideouts and restrict the movement of armed groups across remote areas.
The martyrdom of a commanding officer is expected to renew public attention on the risks faced by personnel deployed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s conflict-affected districts. Continued militant violence also places pressure on local communities, disrupts economic activity and complicates efforts to establish long-term stability in areas recovering from years of insecurity.
Security agencies are expected to examine the recovered weapons and explosive material for evidence that could reveal the militants’ network, recent movements and potential facilitators. Further details may be released after the area is cleared and investigators complete the initial assessment of the North Waziristan operation.