A Pakistani army captain was martyred and seven militants were shot dead during an intelligence-led operation in the northwestern district of Hangu, the military said Saturday, as security forces stepped up operations against armed groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The operation took place Friday after troops received intelligence on militants in the area.
What happened during the Hangu operation?
Troops engaged the militants after receiving intelligence about their presence in the area, according to a statement from the military's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The militants took shelter inside a mosque during the exchange of fire, and security forces subsequently killed seven of them.
Security forces recovered weapons and ammunition from the militants, who were allegedly involved in attacks against security forces and law enforcement personnel as well as the killing of civilians, the statement said. ISPR said troops were conducting a clearance operation in the area to search for any remaining militants.
Who was the captain killed in the operation?
The military identified the slain officer as 27-year-old Captain Hamza Akram, from Narowal district in Punjab province. He was leading the operation and pursuing the militants when he was killed, ISPR said. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed condolences to Akram's family and paid tribute to the officer, saying he had made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the country.
The military refers to members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as "Fitna al Khawarij" and has repeatedly accused the group of carrying out attacks in the country with support from India. India denies supporting militant activity in Pakistan.
Were there other militant clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this week?
The Hangu operation came a day after ISPR said security forces had killed 10 militants in two separate clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Eight militants were killed after they attempted to attack security posts in the Azam Warsak area of South Waziristan, while two others were killed in a separate encounter in Dir district.
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