• 12 terrorists eliminated in KP, Balochistan IBOs
• ISPR says would-be suicide bomber among those killed in Nushki
NORTH WAZIRISTAN/QUETTA: An army officer was martyred and 12 terrorists were killed in two intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.
In a statement, the military’s media wing said Major Hafiz Ihsan Elahi was martyred during an IBO in the Razmak area of North Waziristan district, where security forces killed five terrorists affiliated with Fitna al-Khawarij.
Fitna al-Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
The ISPR said Major Ihsan, 34, from Mianwali district, was “a brave officer who was leading his troops from the front, fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice” and embraced martyrdom.
Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists, “who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities” against security forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as in the killing of civilians, according to the ISPR.
“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other India-sponsored terrorist found in the area. Relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision Azm-i-Istehkam, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan, by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR said.
“Such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment of safeguarding our nation at all costs,” it added.
President, PM pay tribute
President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for the successful intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan.
In a statement, he said the killing of five terrorists of Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij in the operation was a manifestation of the courage and determination of the security forces.
The president lauded Major Ihsan and said the nation would always remember the sacrifices of its brave sons.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to the security forces for successfully carrying out the IBO against Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists in Razmak.
The prime minister commended the professionalism and bravery of the security forces for eliminating terrorists and reaffirmed the government’s unwavering support for the armed forces in their fight against terrorism.
He also paid tribute to Major Ihsan and expressed condolences to the bereaved family. The prime minister prayed that Almighty Allah grant the martyr the highest ranks in Jannah and bless his family with patience and fortitude.
Nushki IBO
In a separate statement, the ISPR said security forces killed “seven Indian-sponsored terrorists” during an IBO in Balochistan’s Nushki district on the night between July 30 and 31.
Among those killed was a would-be suicide bomber, the ISPR said, adding that the operation was carried out on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan, a term designated by the state for terrorist organisations in Balochistan.
During the operation, a terrorist hideout was “identified, monitored and busted through prompt surgical action by own forces, killing all seven Indian-sponsored terrorists, including a suicide bomber”, the ISPR said.
It added that ammunition and improvised explosive devices found at the hideout were also destroyed on site.
A day earlier, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti had vowed that the state would not retreat “even an inch” in its fight against terrorism.
Last month, security forces killed at least 16 terrorists during Operation Al-Azm in Balochistan’s Mastung district, which was launched after a shooting on a Karachi-bound coach claimed three lives.
Security concerns heightened in Balochistan after a spate of major terrorist attacks in early July, prompting counterterrorism operations across the province.
Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026
