Army major martyred in North Waziristan IBO: ISPR

An army officer was martyred during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Razmak area of North Waziristan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Saturday. During the operation, security forces also killed five terrorists affiliated with Fitna al Khawarij, according to the military’s media wing. Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, while Fitna al Hindustan is a term designated by the state for terrorist organisations in Balo­chistan. The ISPR said that Major Hafiz Ihsan Elahi, 34, from Mianwali district, was “a brave officer who was leading his troops from the front, fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice” and embraced martyrdom. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists, “who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities” against security forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as in the killing of civilians. “Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other India-sponsored terrorist found in the area. Relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR statement read. “Such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment of safeguarding our nation at all costs.” Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government was implementing a comprehensive and effective strategy to “completely eliminate” the menace posed by the proscribed Fitna-al-Hindustan, Fitna-al-Khawarij and other terrorist outfits to the country. Pakistan has seen a surge in terrorism since the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire deal with the government in November 2022, vowing to increase attacks. Field Marshal Munir had, similarly, reaffirmed the military’s resolve to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country, underscoring the nation’s preparedness to respond decisively to any external or internal threats. On July 29, the military’s media wing said security forces killed 32 terrorists during operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.