19 soldiers martyred, 45 Indian proxy terrorists killed in KP IBOs: ISPR
by By Zarmeen Zehra19 Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred while 45 militants belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij were gunned down during separate operations in Bajaur, South Waziristan and Dir districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Saturday.
According to the military's media wing, the engagements took place between September 10 and 13 in Bajaur and South Waziristan districts.
In Bajaur, security forces launched an intelligence-based operation (IBO) after reports of militant presence. "Our troops effectively engaged the location, and after an intense fire exchange, 22 terrorists were killed," the communique read.
"In a separate operation in South Waziristan, 13 more militants were killed," the military’s media wing said, adding that at least 12 soldiers also embraced martyrdom during the firefight.
"Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from Indian-sponsored terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in these areas," it added.
The statement further said intelligence reports confirmed the involvement of Afghan nationals in the attacks.
"Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed the physical involvement of Afghan nationals in these heinous acts. Besides, use of Afghan soil against Pakistan by Fitna al Khawarij terrorists continues to remain a grave point of concern," it added.
"Pakistan expects the Afghan government to uphold its responsibilities and deny use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan," the ISPR statement further read.
The military said sanitisation operations are continuing in the affected areas to eliminate remaining threats, stressing that sacrifices of soldiers further strengthen our resolve to eradicate terrorism.
"Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored Kharji found in the area, as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country, and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve," the statement concluded.
Dir operation
On Sept 11, the security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the general area Lal Qilla Maidan of Lower Dir District, the ISPR said.
"During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location, and after an intense fire exchange, 10 Indian sponsored khwarij were [killed]," it added.
However, during intense fire exchange, seven soldiers, Naik Abdul Jalil (resident of District North Waziristan), Naik Gul Jan (resident of District Lakki Marwat), Lance Naik Azmat Ullah (resident of District Lakki Marwat), Sepoy Abdul Malik (resident of District Khyber), Sepoy Muhammad Amjad (resident of District Malakand), Sepoy Muhammad Dawood (resident of District Swabi), Sepoy Fazal Qayum (resident of District Dera Ismail Khan) embraced martyrdom.
The ISPR added that the security forces saved "precious lives of innocent civilians, who were made hostage by Indian sponsored Khawrij".
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in cross-border terror incidents since Taliban rulers returned to Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of KP and Balochistan.
The country witnessed a sharp escalation in militant attacks in August, with incidents surging by 74% compared to July, according to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).
The Islamabad-based think tank recorded 194 fatalities from militant attacks during the month.