Bajaur IBO leaves senior officer martyred; security forces neutralise militants
A Pakistan Army major was martyred and five terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) carried out by security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district, the military’s media wing said on Monday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was conducted in the Khar area following confirmed intelligence about the presence of terrorists linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, described by the military as an India-backed proxy group. Troops engaged the militants effectively, resulting in the killing of five terrorists during the exchange of fire.
However, amid the intense firefight, Major Adeel Zaman, 36, a resident of Dera Ismail Khan, was martyred while leading his troops from the front. The ISPR said the officer fought bravely and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the killed militants, who, according to the military, were involved in multiple attacks against security forces, law enforcement agencies, and civilians. Following the operation, security forces launched sanitisation actions in the area to eliminate any remaining threats.
The ISPR reiterated that Pakistan’s counterterrorism drive under the Azm-e-Istehkam framework would continue at full pace to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.
National leadership pays tribute
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for the successful operation and paid tribute to the martyred officer. Expressing condolences to Major Zaman’s family, the prime minister said the nation stood firmly with its armed forces in the fight against terrorism and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate militancy in all its forms.
The funeral prayers for Major Zaman were held at Peshawar Garrison and were attended by Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the interior minister, the Peshawar Corps commander, and senior military and civilian officials.
Field Marshal Munir honoured the sacrifice of the fallen officer, calling the martyrs of the Pakistan Army the pride of the nation. He later visited Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Peshawar to inquire after soldiers wounded during the operation, commending their courage and resilience.
Rising security challenges
Pakistan has faced a surge in terrorist incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since 2021. Authorities have repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban government to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to target Pakistan. Islamabad maintains that a lack of effective action has strained bilateral relations.
Cross-border tensions escalated in October after unprovoked firing along the border, leading to clashes between the two sides. Pakistan says its forces responded decisively, inflicting heavy losses on militant elements, though several Pakistani soldiers were also martyred. Subsequent diplomatic efforts, including talks mediated by Qatar and hosted by Türkiye, failed to produce a lasting breakthrough.
