HANGU: Security forces killed eight militants in an exchange of fire in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while six security personnel, including two officers, were martyred, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The military’s media wing said the clash took place on September 20 after a security forces convoy engaged militants in Hangu. Eight militants described by ISPR as members of “Fitna-al-Khwarij” were killed during the intense exchange of fire.
The two officers were identified as Captain Abuzar Farooq, 23, from Gujranwala, and Lieutenant Sheraz Babar, 22, from Chakwal. Four other security personnel also lost their lives in the encounter, ISPR said.
According to the military, the militants killed in the operation were involved in multiple terrorist activities in the area. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from their possession.
A sanitisation operation is underway in the area to search for and eliminate any other militants who may be present, ISPR said.
The military added that counterterrorism operations under the government-approved “Azm-e-Istehkam” framework would continue, describing the campaign as an effort to counter what it calls foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism.
