Pak Army major martyred, five terrorists killed in Bajaur

A Pakistan Army major was martyred, and five terrorists were neutralized during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Bajaur district,

A Pakistan Army major was martyred, and five terrorists were neutralized during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Monday.

The operation targeted Indian-backed militants linked to the Fitna al-Khawarij group. It was conducted in the Khar area following actionable intelligence about the presence of armed terrorists.

Security forces engaged the terrorists in a firefight. Five militants were killed during the encounter. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the dead terrorists. These militants were reportedly involved in multiple attacks on security forces and civilians.

Tragically, Major Adeel Zaman, 36, from Dera Ismail Khan, lost his life while leading the operation. He was at the forefront of the engagement. The army praised his courage and leadership. His sacrifice is being honored nationwide.

After the initial operation, forces conducted follow-up clearance and sanitization efforts. This ensured that no other militants remained in the area. The military reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating all foreign-backed terrorism in Pakistan under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” initiative.

The federal and provincial authorities also expressed deep condolences to the family of Major Zaman. Officials emphasized the importance of continued counterterrorism operations to maintain stability and protect civilians.

Security in Pakistan’s border provinces has been under pressure in recent years. Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021, cross-border militancy has increased. Pakistan has repeatedly asked the Afghan Taliban to prevent their territory from being used to launch attacks against Pakistani forces. These appeals have largely gone unheeded, increasing tensions along the western border.

In October 2025, militants launched unprovoked attacks on Pakistani border posts. Armed clashes followed, killing over 200 militants and 23 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistani forces also carried out targeted strikes inside Afghanistan, including Kabul, to dismantle terrorist hideouts. Temporary ceasefires were later agreed upon. However, subsequent talks stalled due to disagreements with the Taliban delegation.