Eight militants killed, six security personnel martyred in Hangu gunbattle

Eight militants were killed and six security personnel, including two young army officers, were martyred in a Hangu gunbattle on September 20, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. The clash involved a security convoy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

What happened in the Hangu gunbattle?

Security forces engaged militants during an encounter involving a security convoy in Hangu district. The exchange of fire was intense, and the ISPR said the eight militants killed belonged to what it called the Indian-sponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij. Six security personnel also lost their lives, including two officers who were leading their troops from the front.

Who were the officers martyred in Hangu?

The ISPR identified the martyred officers as Captain Abuzar Farooq, 23, a resident of Gujranwala district, and Lieutenant Sheraz Babar, 22, a resident of Chakwal district. Four other soldiers were also martyred in the engagement.

What happens next after the Hangu gunbattle?

A sanitization operation was launched in the area to eliminate any remaining militants, the ISPR said. The military said the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of "Azm-e-Istehkam," approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, will continue at full pace.

The military said security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating what it described as foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country. It added that the sacrifices of the security personnel further reinforced the forces' commitment to safeguarding the country.