Ashrafuddin Pirzada
PESHAWAR: Security forces eliminated 15 militants while an Army officer was also martyred in separate encounters across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing reported.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that three distinct operations were conducted in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
An intelligence-driven operation was launched in the Jani Khel area of Bannu district based on reports of militant activity. Security forces engaged the militants, killing two in an exchange of fire, the ISPR said.
In another operation in North Waziristan, five militants were killed, and eight others sustained injuries.
“During intense fighting, Major Muhammad Awais, 31, from District Narowal, valiantly led his troops and embraced martyrdom,” the ISPR stated.
Sources revealed that the operation in North Waziristan’s Datta Khel area began at 1 pm after suspicious movements were observed.
Security forces dispatched a search team at 1:15 pm, which came under attack. The engagement resulted in the elimination of five militants, reportedly linked to the banned Hafiz Gul Bahadur group.
In South Waziristan, six more militants were killed and eight were injured during another operation, according to the ISPR.
“Clearance efforts are ongoing to ensure no remaining threats in the area. The Pakistan Army remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicating terrorism, with the sacrifices of our brave soldiers fortifying this resolve,” the statement added.
In a separate action in South Waziristan’s Birmal tehsil on Wednesday night, two militants affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan(TTP) were killed in an aerial strike.
Local police reported that the strike targeted a house in the Manra area, killing local commander Noor Muhammad and an associate. The two were allegedly involved in attacks on security forces and civilians.
Meanwhile, over 140 families from Upper South Waziristan have been displaced as security forces prepare for a possible clearance operation against militants in the region.
The displaced people, primarily from the Mehsud tribe, left their homes in Dashka, Zarif Khel, and Aba Khel villages in Makin tehsil without prior arrangements from the local administration or the Provincial Disaster Management Authority.
Residents shared that the displaced families were housed in vacant properties owned by tribesmen near Makin bazaar. Suhail Mehsud, a resident, stated that the Mehsud community had stepped in to provide food and assistance.
However, the families expressed concern over the lack of official aid.
The operation follows a recent militant attack on a security checkpoint in the Leta Sar area of Makin, which resulted in the deaths of 16 Frontier Corps personnel on December 21.
Upper South Waziristan Deputy Commissioner Saleem Jan was unavailable for comment, while MPA Asif Khan Mehsud stated that he was coordinating with authorities to assist the displaced families. KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur also assured support for those affected.
A woman was killed after a shell struck her house during heavy exchanges of fire between security forces and militants in Mir Ali tehsil, North Waziristan, locals reported.
