The security forces conducted an intelligence based operation (IBO) in Dera Ismail (DI) Khan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on reported presence of Khwarij and killed at least 10 terrorists, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Friday.

During the conduct of operation, own troops, after stealthily surrounding the khwarij location, effectively engaged them and resultantly all ten khwarij were sent to hell, the ISPR statement added.

However, during the intense fire exchange, Captain Hasnain Akhtar, 24 years old, resident of District Jhelum, who was leading his troops from the front, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat (martyrdom), the statement said.

It said Captain Husnain was a brave officer and was renowned for his courage, bold and daring actions during previous operations. It said during the operation, weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAS) as well as target killing of innocent civilians.

The ISPR said the sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area, as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave young officers further strengthen our resolve.