Security forces killed eight militants belonging to the India-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij while six Pakistan Army personnel embraced martyrdom during the exchange of fire in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday.
The military’s media wing said that the exchange of fire took place between the security forces convoy and Fitna al-Khawarij in Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Resultantly, it said eight terrorists were killed due to effective engagement by the troops.
The engagement followed the killing of 10 militants belonging to the India-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij in multiple engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between September 15 and 17. Six soldiers were martyred during the engagements, the ISPR said earlier on Thursday.
Sanitisation operations are under way to eliminate any other militants who may still be present in the areas, the ISPR said.
During the intense fire exchange, the ISPR said six security personnel, including Captain Abuzar Farooq and Lieutenant Sheraz Babar — who were leading their troops from the front, fought gallantly and embraced martyrdom.
The military said the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace. The campaign, it said, aims to eliminate foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
The ISPR said the sacrifices of the soldiers further reinforced the armed forces’ commitment to safeguarding the country.
Pakistan witnessed a surge in terror activities, particularly in its KP and Balochistan provinces, since 2021, when the Afghan Taliban came into power.
According to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the two provinces remained the country’s main hotspots for violence during the second quarter of 2026, with KP emerging as the worst-affected region.
The report stated that KP and Balochistan together accounted for nearly 96% of all violence-related fatalities recorded during the quarter. Of the total deaths, more than 61% (475) were reported in KP, while Balochistan accounted for 34% (265).
KP also recorded the highest number of violent incidents, with 151 cases, representing 57% of the nationwide total. Balochistan followed with 94 incidents, or 35%, underscoring the concentration of militant activity in the two provinces.
