Army major martyred in North Waziristan IBO: ISPR

An army officer, Major Hafiz Ihsan Elahi, was killed during an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The 34-year-old officer from Mianwali district led his troops into battle, displaying bravery and fighting gallantly before sacrificing his life. The operation resulted in the deaths of five other terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as Fitna al Khawarij.

Military forces recovered weapons and ammunition from the slain terrorists, who had been actively involved in various terrorist activities against security forces, law enforcement agencies, and civilians. The ISPR emphasized that ongoing "sanitization operations" aimed at eliminating any remaining India-sponsored terrorists in the area would continue, as part of the "Azm-i-Istehkam" vision endorsed by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan.

The statement expressed the commitment of security forces and law enforcement agencies in Pakistan to eradicate the threat of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the nation. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a comprehensive strategy to completely eliminate the menace posed by proscribed terrorist groups. Pakistan has experienced a rise in terrorism since the TTP's ceasefire deal was terminated in November 2022.

In a separate incident, security forces in Balochistan's Nushki district killed seven Indian-sponsored terrorists in an IBO on July 30/31. Among the seven killed was a suicide bomber, as part of a counterterrorism campaign under the "Azm-i-Istehkam" vision.