• ISPR says major martyred in exchange of fire
• Two cops slain in Lakki Marwat, Khyber attacks

BAJAUR: The security forces gunned down five terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in Bajaur’s Mamund tehsil after a shootout, in which an army major was martyred, the military’s media wing said on Monday.

In separate incidents in the Lakki Marwat and Khyber districts, two policemen were also martyred by militants.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the general area of Bajaur district on reports of the presence of terrorists belonging to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). During the operation, five terrorists were killed, it added.

During the intense fire exchange, Major Adeel Zaman, 36, a resident of Dera Ismail Khan district, having fought gallantly, embraced martyrdom, the statement said.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain terrorists, who were involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces and law enforcement agencies as well as the killing of innocent civilians, the ISPR added.

It said sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area. Relentless counter terrorism campaigns under the vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country, the statement concluded.

Two policemen killed

Separately, in Lakki Marwat, ASI Mumtaz Ali embraced martyrdom in a gun attack in the Wanda Jogi area of the district. A police official said the incident took place within the limits of the Shaheed Haibat Ali Khan police station in Darra Pezu town.

The ASI was going to a police station in Tank for duty in a private pickup truck when terrorists riding on motorcycles intercepted the vehicle and opened fire at him.

ASI Mumtaz Ali lost his life on the spot, while the assailants managed to flee the scene. After the attack, a large police contingent reached the area and launched a search for the assailants. Meanwhile, his funeral prayers were offered at the police lines in the District Headquarters Complex, Tajazai.

Separately, a policeman was kidnapped and shot dead by terrorists in Tank when he was coming back from his duty. The incident occurred on Shah Alam Road within the limits of Shaheed Mureed Akbar police station. The police had registered the case and started an investigation.

Muhammad Irfan Mughal in D.I. Khan and Ghulam Mursalin Marwat in Lakki Marwat also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2025