Seven khawarij killed, captain among six soldiers martyred in Kurram operation: ISPR

ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed seven khawarij militants during an operation in Kurram district, while six soldiers, including Captain Nauman Saleem, embraced martyrdom in an intense exchange of fire.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on October 29, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Dogar area of Kurram district after receiving reports of the presence of militants from Fitnatul Khawarij, a group operating with the backing of India.

ISPR said that the forces carried out an effective operation, killing seven Indian-backed khawarij. However, during the fierce gun battle, 24-year-old Medical Officer Captain Nauman Saleem, a resident of Mianwali, and other soldiers were martyred.

According to the ISPR, he not only provided medical assistance to his comrades but also fought bravely against the enemy. Five other soldiers also laid down their lives for the motherland.

According to ISPR, the martyred soldiers were Havaldar Amjad Ali (39) from Swabi, Naik Waqas Ahmed (36) from Rawalpindi, Sepoy Ejaz Ali (23) from Shikarpur, Sepoy Muhammad Waleed (23) from Jhelum and Sepoy Muhammad Shahbaz (32) from Khairpur.

The statement said that a clearance operation was still under way in the area to eliminate any remaining Indian-backed militants.

ISPR reaffirmed that Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue their counter-terrorism efforts with full force under the National Action Plan, approved by the federal apex committee, in line with the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam to root out foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

In recent months, the surge in terrorist incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — both bordering Afghanistan — has been met with intensified counter-terrorism operations by security forces.

Earlier today, security forces killed more than 10 militants in an operation in the mountainous region of Chiltan, near Quetta.

According to security sources, the operation targeted camps belonging to a banned organisation, and all those killed were members of that group.