Security forces killed six militants in an intelligence-based operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Dera Ismail Khan district, while two soldiers lost their lives in the exchange of fire, the military's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Sunday. The operation was carried out on Saturday in the Zarkani area.
According to the ISPR, troops moved in on the reported presence of fighters from "Fitna al Khawarij", the term the state uses for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which the military describes as backed by India.
The two soldiers were named as Naik Ghulam Murtaza, 36, from Gujrat, and Sepoy Taseer Ahmed, 30, from Talagang. The ISPR said both "fought gallantly" and that their sacrifice reinforced the forces' commitment to defending the country.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the dead militants, who the military said had been involved in numerous attacks on security forces, law enforcement agencies and civilians. A clearance operation is under way in the area, and the ISPR said the counterterrorism campaign under "Azm-i-Istehkam" would continue at full pace.
The district has seen a run of security incidents in recent weeks, including the reported abduction of residents in Kulachi. Earlier this month, eight militants were killed in another operation in DI Khan.