PESHAWAR: A Pakistan Army captain was martyred while seven militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.
According to the ISPR, security forces launched the operation on August 7 after receiving intelligence reports about the presence of militants in the area. Troops effectively targeted the suspected hideout and killed seven militants during the intense exchange of fire.
The military said Captain Hamza Akram, 27, a resident of Narowal district, embraced martyrdom while leading his troops from the front. He was pursuing the militants when he was martyred during the operation.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants, who, according to the ISPR, had been involved in attacks targeting security forces, law enforcement personnel and civilians.
Following the firefight, security forces launched a sanitisation operation in the surrounding area to search for and eliminate any remaining militants.
The ISPR reiterated the armed forces’ commitment to combating terrorism and said security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue operations across the country under the Azm-e-Istehkam campaign.
Three Militants Killed in Mastung Operation
Separately, security sources said three militants were killed and 12 suspects detained during a search and sanitisation operation in Mastung district of Balochistan.
The operation was conducted in the Kambela and Asimabad areas as part of Operation Rad-ul-Fitna-3, with security forces carrying out extensive search and clearance activities across an area of approximately 68 square kilometres.
According to security sources, three militants were killed during the operation, while the bodies of two were recovered. Four other militants were injured, including a key commander identified as Shaukat Mama.
Security personnel also detained 12 suspects for questioning as part of the investigation. Militants’ hideouts were dismantled and flags associated with the group were removed from the cleared areas.
The latest operations come amid continued militant violence in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
According to data from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the two provinces remained the country’s main violence hotspots during the second quarter of 2026, accounting for nearly 96% of all violence-related fatalities recorded nationwide during the period.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded more than 61% of the total deaths, with 475 fatalities, while Balochistan reported 265 deaths, accounting for around 34%.
KP also recorded the highest number of violent incidents, with 151 cases, representing approximately 57% of incidents nationwide. Balochistan followed with 94 incidents, or 35%.
The continued operations reflect the heightened security focus in both provinces as Pakistani authorities seek to disrupt militant networks and prevent further attacks against civilians and security personnel.
