Three Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred in separate encounters with terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tirah Valley, the military’s media wing reported on Friday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), clashes occurred between security forces and terrorists, referred to as “Khwarij,” at three different sites in Tirah Valley, Khyber District.
The ISPR stated that the effective response by the troops resulted in the death of four terrorists. Despite their efforts, three soldiers—Havildar Inam Gul, 37, from District Mianwali; Sepoy Muhammad Imran, 29, from District Tank; and Sepoy Altaf Khan, 22, from District Mardan—lost their lives in the fierce firefight.
The military has initiated a sanitization operation in the area to eliminate any remaining terrorists, reinforcing their commitment to eradicating terrorism. The sacrifices of these soldiers underscore the ongoing determination to combat extremist threats.
Since the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has seen a rise in terrorist attacks, particularly in border regions, with militants increasingly using advanced weaponry. However, recent months have seen a reduction in such violence due to intensified counter-terrorism efforts. The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) Annual Security Report noted that the second quarter of this year saw 380 fatalities and 220 injuries linked to 240 terror attacks and counter-terror operations.
In response to the growing threat, the federal cabinet has approved a new counter-terrorism operation, Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, following recommendations from the National Action Plan’s Central Apex Committee aimed at eradicating terrorism from the country.
