A Pakistani soldier was martyred during a fierce gunfight in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that resulted in the deaths of seven alleged “Indian-backed” terrorists, the military announced on Monday.
According to a statement from the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces launched an intelligence-based operation in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan District following reports of the presence of militants.
The ISPR identified the insurgents as “khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij.” The government uses this term to describe outlawed terrorist organizations, most prominently the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group.
The communique detailed that during the operation, troops effectively engaged the militants’ location. “After an intense fire exchange, seven khwarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR said.
During the confrontation, Naik Yasir Khan, 34, of the Pakistan Army “having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom,” the release confirmed.
Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain individuals, who the military said were actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the region.
Security forces and law enforcement agencies are conducting follow-up clearance operations to eliminate any remaining threats present in the area.
The statement affirmed that the national campaign to eliminate terrorism, under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” vision and approved by the Federal Apex Committee for the National Action Plan, will continue with full intensity.
This event comes as Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of permitting the TTP to operate freely from Afghan territory. Officials believe the TTP has become fully operational across the border, posing a serious threat to Pakistan’s internal security.
The TTP has long used Afghanistan as a sanctuary, but its operational freedom has reportedly expanded significantly since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. Its fighters are now said to be based in eastern provinces such as Khost, Paktika, Paktia, and Kunar, which have become staging grounds for attacks inside Pakistan.