Hangu operation: 6 soldiers murdered, 8 insurgents including 2 officers killed: ISPR

The security forces killed eight militants during an operation in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while six troops were slain in the exchange of fire, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

An exchange of fire took occurred between a convoy of security forces and militants in Hangu, stated ISPR in a statement.

Security officers had an excellent response killing eight militants associated with ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’ and working with Indian help, it added.

ISPR said two officers and four soldiers leading their troops from front were martyred amid fierce battle.

The military named the officers as 23-year-old Captain Abu Zar Farooq, from of Gujranwala district, and 22-year-old Lieutenant Shiraz Babar, native of Chakwal district.

ISPR said both commanders and four troops fought gallantly and laid down their lives in the defence of the motherland.

A clearance operation is underway in the area to eradicate any additional militants who may still be present, ISPR stated.

The military said security forces and law-enforcement agencies will continue counterterrorism operations under the government’s “Azm-e-Istehkam” campaign to remove what it called externally funded terrorism.

The sacrifices of the officers and soldiers had increased the will of the country to preserve its land and people, ISPR stated.