ORAKZAI (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) — In a major counterterrorism operation near the Afghan border, 11 Pakistan Army personnel, including a lieutenant colonel and a major, were martyred during an intense gun battle with armed militants on Wednesday, according to an official military statement.
The Pakistan Army’s intelligence-led operation in Orakzai district turned into a fierce firefight when security forces encountered heavily armed insurgents, referred to as “Khawarij” — a term the army uses for banned extremist groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The clash left 19 militants dead, dealing a major blow to the terrorist network operating in the northwestern tribal region.
According to Dawn News and Al Jazeera, the confrontation began when militants ambushed a military convoy using a roadside bomb before opening fire on troops.
Among the martyrs were Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Arif and Major Tayyab Rahat, both hailed for their bravery and leadership during the high-risk operation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the fallen heroes, stating that “the entire nation stands proud of its brave sons who laid down their lives for Pakistan’s security.”
Security sources told Reuters that the Pakistan Taliban has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. The group, which seeks to impose its own rigid version of governance, has increased attacks on Pakistani forces in recent months, particularly in areas bordering Afghanistan.
Islamabad has accused militants of using Afghan territory for training and planning operations against Pakistan — allegations both Afghanistan and India have denied.
The operation marks another chapter in Pakistan’s ongoing struggle against militancy as the military continues to reinforce national security through intelligence-based raids across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
