Security forces kill wanted terrorist in Mardan operation

A wanted terrorist was killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Mardan district, the military said in a statement on Friday.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a high-value target, terrorist ring leader Faisal, was killed in the Katalang area of the district.

The statement said that the killed terrorist was actively involved in numerous terrorist activities and was highly wanted by law enforcement agencies. Weapon and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorist, it added.

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In another encounter with terrorists in the general area of Parachinar, Kurram district, Pakistani troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location.

However, 33-year-old resident of Kurram district Lance Naik Ghairat Khan, having fought gallantly against the terrorists, embraced martyrdom.

“Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the statement further said.

Earlier in the day, at least four soldiers were martyred when an infiltration attempt from Afghanistan by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists was thwarted, said a statement by ISPR.

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The skirmish took place near Sambaza in District Zhob, a region close to the Pak-Afghan border.

Security forces acted swiftly to repel the militants attempting to breach Pakistan's borders, added ISPR. 

The martyred soldiers were identified as Havildar Sattar, Lance Naik Sher Azam, Lance Naik Adnan and Sepoy Nadeem.

The military's media wing further said that three TTP militants were also killed in the exchange of fire, while several others sustained injuries.