A Pakistan Army captain was killed in action after eliminating seven terrorists during a fierce gun battle in Hangu district, while security forces gunned down three more militants in a parallel operation in Balochistan, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.
Captain Hamza Akram, 27, was leading his troops in an intelligence-based operation when the firefight erupted. According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the raid targeted militants from what it described as “Indian Proxy, Fitna Al Khwarij.”
Mosque Turned Battleground in Hangu
As security forces closed in on the militants’ hideout, the terrorists retreated into a mosque, disregarding the sanctity of the religious site. A heavy exchange of fire followed, resulting in the death of all seven militants. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain attackers, who were implicated in numerous assaults on security forces and the killing of innocent civilians.
Captain Akram was fatally wounded while spearheading the assault. The ISPR statement emphasized that the young officer’s sacrifice reinforces the military’s resolve. “Such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs,” it read.
Balochistan Operation Nets Three Militants, 12 Detainees
In a separate operation, security forces cleared a 68-square-kilometer area in the Kambila and Asimabad regions of Balochistan. Three militants were killed and four others injured, including a commander identified as Shaukat Mama. Forces also detained 12 suspected individuals during the sanitization sweep.
Security sources confirmed that militant hideouts were dismantled and flags associated with “Fitna al-Hindustan” were removed from the cleared zones. The ongoing campaign, dubbed Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3, will continue until terrorism is completely eradicated, officials stated.
Relentless Campaign Under Azm-e-Istehkam
The ISPR reiterated that the counter-terrorism drive, operating under the national vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam” approved by the Federal Apex Committee, will proceed at full pace. The campaign specifically targets foreign-sponsored militancy aiming to destabilize the country.
Sanitization operations are still underway in Hangu to root out any remaining elements, the military said, vowing to wipe out the menace of externally supported terrorism.
