PESHAWAR: A Pakistan Army officer was martyred during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) carried out by security forces in the Khar area of Bajaur district, where five Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khawarij militants were killed, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
According to the military’s media wing, the operation was conducted on December 29, 2025, following credible intelligence about the presence of Khawarij linked to the Indian proxy group Fitna al Khawarij. Security forces effectively engaged the militant hideout, resulting in the elimination of five terrorists.
During a fierce exchange of fire, Major Adeel Zaman, 36, a resident of Dera Ismail Khan, embraced martyrdom while leading his troops from the front. The ISPR stated that the officer displayed exceptional courage and valor during the operation.
Arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, who were reportedly involved in multiple attacks against security forces, law enforcement agencies, and innocent civilians. Sanitization operations are ongoing in the area to ensure the presence of any remaining militants is eliminated.
The ISPR reaffirmed that Pakistan’s security forces, under the counter-terrorism vision “Azm-e-Istehkam,” approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, will continue operations at full scale to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.
Earlier, security forces also neutralized nine Fitna al Khawarij militants in separate operations in Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu districts.
