Two Pakistani Army soldiers were martyred while nine terrorists were killed during separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as reported by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday.
The military’s media wing shared details of the operations, which included an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Mohmand District, aimed at eliminating terrorist elements. During the operation, the security forces successfully targeted a terrorist hideout, resulting in the death of seven militants. However, in the course of an intense firefight, two soldiers — Havildar Muhammad Zahid from Malakand and Sepoy Aftab Ali Shah from Chitral — made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom.
In a second confrontation in the Maddi area of Dera Ismail Khan District, security forces engaged with terrorists in another firefight. Two terrorists were killed, and weapons and ammunition were recovered from the scene. The terrorists were believed to have been involved in numerous previous attacks, and their elimination is part of ongoing efforts to rid the region of militant groups.
Sanitization operations continue in both areas to eliminate any remaining terrorist elements, with security forces remaining resolute in their mission to eradicate terrorism from the country.
These operations are part of Pakistan’s larger counter-terrorism strategy, aimed at combating a surge in violent attacks, particularly since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, both bordering Afghanistan, have seen a significant increase in terrorist activity.
The rise in violence has been particularly evident in 2025, with a 42% increase in terrorist attacks recorded in January compared to the previous month, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). The data revealed that 74 militant attacks were reported nationwide, resulting in 91 fatalities, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Additionally, 117 people were injured.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially its tribal regions (formerly Fata), remains the hardest-hit area, with 46 deaths recorded from 19 attacks.
