A major-ranked officer was martyred during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district, said a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday.
The military identified the martyred officer as 36-year-old Major Adeel Zaman from Dera Ismail Khan.
During the operation, security forces also killed five terrorists, added ISPR.
On December 29, “security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Khar, Bajaur district, on reported presence of Khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij,” it said.
Fitna al Khwarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The statement said, “During the conduct of operation, due to effective engagement by own troops five Indian sponsored khwarij were sent to hell.”
“However, during the intense fire exchange, Major Adeel Zaman (age: 36 years, resident of Dera Ismail Khan District), a brave officer who was leading his troops from the front, having fought gallantly, rendered the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat.”
The statement further said that security forces recovered weapons and ammunition from the terrorists, who remained “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces and law enforcement agencies as well as killing of innocent civilians”.
Following the operation, the security forces conducted a sanitisation operation to eliminate other terrorists in the area.
“Relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision “Azm e 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,” said the statement.
Later, the funeral prayer for Major Adeel Zaman Shaheed, who embraced martyrdom while fighting valiantly against Fitna al Khwarij in Khar, Bajaur District, was offered at Peshawar Garrison today.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, Interior Minister, Commander Peshawar Corps, along with military and civil officers and public attended the funeral.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifice of Major Adeel Zaman Shaheed, highlighting that the martyrs of Pakistan Army are the pride of the nation and their sacrifices will forever be remembered. He prayed for the elevation of the Shaheed’s ranks in Jannah and for patience and strength for the family.
Later, the Field Marshal visited CMH Peshawar to inquire about the health of officers and soldiers injured during the operation and lauded their courage and steadfastness.
Last month, at least 22 terrorists were killed and several injured in Bajaur district during a successful counter-insurgency operation carried out by security forces.
The IBO in Bajaur’s village of Gadar was termed a “major success” by the security sources in a statement and was carried out “based on highly classified information”.
Last year, the federal government, in a meeting comprising top civilian and military leaders, announced a comprehensive, nationwide anti-militant operation codenamed ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ to mitigate a rise in attacks on security forces by militant groups.
Separately, Assistant Sub-inspector Mumtaz Ali was shot dead by unidentified attackers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district, police said Monday.
In a separate incident, a police constable earlier reported abducted in the Tank area was later found dead, officials said.
Police said four armed men intercepted a pickup vehicle near Adda Wanda Jogi in the Ghazni Khel area and forced ASI Mumtaz Ali out before opening fire.
The officer was posted in Tank. The attack took place within the jurisdiction of Pizo Police Station, police said.
Mumtaz Ali was rushed to a hospital but died of his injuries. Police said an investigation had been launched.
Officials said the attackers arrived on motorcycles and were believed to have used off-road routes from the Malagan side. They fled along the same route after the attack, police added.
In a separate incident in Tank, police confirmed the killing of Constable Sajjad Hussain. He had earlier been reported abducted from the Shah Alam Abad area while on leave.
Police said his body was recovered and shifted to a hospital for medico-legal formalities. Officials said efforts were under way to determine the circumstances surrounding his killing.
Authorities said the two incidents have raised concern over the security situation in Tank and nearby southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police personnel have increasingly been targeted in these areas in recent months, officials said.
According to reports, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded more than 1,500 terrorism-related incidents over the past year.
More than 130 police officers and personnel were killed in attacks on patrols, convoys and off-duty officials during the period.
Districts including Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat and Tank were among the most affected.
Police said both killings were being examined from multiple angles. Search and investigation operations were under way to trace and arrest those involved, officials said.
Moreover, an Elite Force man was martyred in the Singota area of Swat. According to the police, Constable Hammad Ali was targeted and shot near his home. The deceased officer had returned from his duty in Timergara. His body was shifted to Saidu Teaching Hospital, Swat for autopsy. District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Umar said that evidence has been collected from the scene and an investigation was launched.