16 Militants Killed, Two Soldiers Martyred in North Waziristan

RAWALPINDI (Special Reporter): Security forces have killed 16 militants during intelligence-based operations in North Waziristan, while two Pakistan Army soldiers embraced martyrdom, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted intelligence-based operations in several areas of North Waziristan, including Mir Ali, Datta Khel and surrounding localities, targeting multiple hideouts of the militant network described by the military as Fitna-ul-Khawarij.

Following an intense exchange of fire over the past 12 hours, 12 militants were killed in the Ali Khel area, including two Afghan nationals.

In separate engagements, two militants were killed each in Mir Ali and Datta Khel, taking the total number of fatalities to 16.

The ISPR said a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the militants’ hideouts during the operations. It added that those killed were involved in several terrorist activities, including attacks resulting in the deaths of civilians.

Two Pakistan Army soldiers also lost their lives while fighting during the operations, according to the military’s statement.

The martyred personnel were identified as 43-year-old Havaldar Ismat Ali, a resident of Swabi district, and 32-year-old Naik Aftab Ali, from Mardan district.

The ISPR said clearance and sanitisation operations were continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining militants.