16 Pakistani soldiers, 8 terrorists killed in South Waziristan clash

At least 16 Pakistani soldiers were killed, and eight terrorists were neutralized during an intense firefight in South Waziristan, the military said Saturday.

The clash occurred late Friday night when militants from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attempted to storm a security forces’ check post in the Makeen area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's South Waziristan district, according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

“The attempt was effectively thwarted by our troops, and in the ensuing exchange of fire, eight Khawarij (terrorists) were sent to hell. However, 16 brave sons of the soil embraced Shahadat (martyrdom), fighting gallantly,” the statement said.

The ISPR added that a sanitization operation is ongoing to locate and neutralize any remaining perpetrators. "Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism, and such sacrifices by our brave men further strengthen our resolve,” it said.

PM Shehbaz condemns attack

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attempted attack.

He paid tribute to the 16 brave soldiers who were martyred while heroically defending against the assault. He prayed for the martyrs’ elevated ranks in the afterlife and expressed heartfelt condolences to their families.

Commending the security forces for their swift response, which resulted in the elimination of eight terrorists, the prime minister lauded their unwavering commitment.

“Our security forces stand like a solid wall against terrorists to protect the country,” Sharif stated, adding that the entire nation salutes the martyrs for their sacrifices.

He reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms, stating, “We are committed to eliminating every trace of terrorism from our soil.”

Interior Minister’s response

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack and paid tribute to the martyred soldiers.

“The brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the peace of our homeland are our nation's heroes,” he said. Naqvi expressed condolences to the families of the martyrs, describing their sacrifices as unparalleled.

“The nation stands with the families of the martyrs and will always honor their sacrifices,” Naqvi stated.

Rising violence in KP

The attack comes amid a surge in terrorist incidents since the TTP ended a fragile ceasefire agreement with the government in 2022.

According to the interior ministry, 948 out of 1,566 terrorism incidents reported in the past 10 months occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in 583 deaths, nearly two-thirds of all casualties nationwide.

In July, the government designated the TTP as "Fitna al-Khawarij" and mandated the use of the term Khawarij (outcasts) to describe terrorists targeting Pakistan.

This tragic incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by militant groups, even as Pakistan’s security forces continue their relentless efforts to maintain peace and stability.