PESHAWAR: A deadly encounter in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district highlighted the continued challenges faced by security forces as a Pakistan Army captain sacrificed his life while leading an operation against militants.
The intelligence-based operation, conducted on August 7, resulted in the elimination of seven terrorists linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, while another counterterrorism operation in Balochistan killed three militants, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The ISPR said security forces launched the Hangu operation after receiving intelligence about the presence of militants in the area. During the operation, troops successfully targeted the terrorists’ location, forcing them into an intense exchange of fire.
According to the military’s media wing, the militants attempted to take refuge inside a mosque during the confrontation, disregarding the sanctity of the place of worship. Security forces continued the operation, killing seven terrorists.
During the fierce exchange of fire, Captain Hamza Akram, 27, embraced martyrdom while leading his troops from the front. The officer belonged to Narowal district and was actively involved in the operation against the militants.
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Security forces recovered weapons and ammunition from the slain terrorists, who were allegedly involved in multiple attacks against security personnel, law enforcement agencies and civilians.
The ISPR said a sanitisation operation is underway to eliminate any remaining militant presence in the area. It added that security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue counterterrorism operations under the Azm-e-Istehkam campaign to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.
Three militants killed in Balochistan operation
In a separate operation in Mastung district of Balochistan, security forces killed three militants associated with Fitna al-Hindustan during a search and clearance operation in the Kambela and Asimabad areas.
According to security sources, the operation was conducted under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-3, during which security forces cleared an area covering around 68 square kilometres.
Three militants were eliminated, while four others were injured, including militant commander Shaukat Mama. Security personnel also detained 12 suspected individuals during the operation.
The forces dismantled militant hideouts and removed flags associated with the group from the cleared areas.
Security officials reiterated that counterterrorism operations will continue across the country until the complete elimination of terrorist networks and the restoration of lasting peace.
