Pakistani Army captain, 10 terrorists killed in operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

During the intense fire exchange, Captain Hasnain Akhtar lost his life. (Courtesy: X)

A Pakistani Army captain was killed during an encounter in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district. At least least 10 terrorists associated with a banned outfit were also killed, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted on Thursday following reports of the presence of terrorists in the area, a statement from the military’s media wing said.

It said that during the intense fire exchange, Captain Hasnain Akhtar who was leading his troops from the front lost his life. "Hasnain was a brave officer and renowned for his courage and bold and daring actions during previous operations," the military statement said.

According to ISPR, weapons and ammunition were seized from the killed terrorists who were involved in numerous attacks against law enforcement agencies as well as target killing of innocent civilians.

"A sanitisation operation is being conducted in the area and the security forces are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country. Such sacrifices of brave young officers further strengthen our resolve," it added.

Pakistan has been reeling under increased terrorist attacks especially targeting law enforcers and security forces since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The country witnessed a surge in terror attacks in January 2025 – an increase of 42 per cent compared to the previous month -- according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a think tank.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the worst-affected province, followed by Balochistan. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s settled districts, militants carried out 27 attacks, resulting in 19 fatalities, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.

The tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (erstwhile Fata) witnessed 19 attacks, resulting in 46 deaths, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.

-With agency inputs