PESHAWAR: Three soldiers were martyred while 19 terrorists were killed in separate incidents in Karak, Peshawar and Mohmand district on Tuesday.

The ISPR said in a statement that 19 terrorists were killed in three separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

It said that on reported presence of terrorists, an intelligence-based operation was conducted by security forces in Mattani area on the southern fringes of the provincial capital.

“During the conduct of operation, troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and resultantly, eight khwarij were sent to hell,” the statement said.

It said that another intelligence-based operation was conducted in the general area of Baizai, Mohmand district. In the ensuing exchange of fire, eight terrorists were effectively engaged and neutralised by the security forces.

In third engagement in Karak district, troops effectively engaged militant location as a result of which three attackers were killed.

However, during intense exchange of fire, three troops, Lance Havaldar Abbas Ali, aged 38, resident of Ghizer district, Naik Muhammad Nazir, aged 37, resident of Skardu district, and Naik Muhammad Usman, aged 37, resident of Attock district, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom.

The ISPR said that sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area.

It added that security forces of the country are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2025