A Pakistan Army captain was martyred and seven terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Saturday. The Hangu operation began on August 7 after forces received intelligence about the presence of Fitna al-Khawarij militants in the area.
Security forces engaged the terrorists’ hideout and successfully eliminated seven of them. Captain Hamza Akram, 27, from Narowal, embraced martyrdom while leading his troops from the front during the intense exchange of fire. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, who had been involved in several attacks on security personnel and civilians.
After the main engagement, forces carried out a sanitisation drive to clear any remaining threat in the area. The military reaffirmed its resolve to continue operations against foreign-sponsored terrorism under the Azm-e-Istehkam campaign across the country.
In a separate action in Balochistan, security forces killed three militants linked to Fitna al-Hindustan and detained 12 suspects during Operation Rad-ul-Fitna-3 in the Kambela and Asimabad areas of Mastung district. The forces cleared nearly 68 square kilometres, recovered two bodies, and reported four militants injured, including a key commander. Flags of the group were also removed after hideouts were dismantled.
Pakistan has seen a rise in militant activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan since 2021. A recent report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies noted that these two provinces accounted for nearly 96 percent of all violence-related deaths in the second quarter of 2026. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded the highest number of incidents and fatalities.
Security officials stressed that operations will continue to eliminate threats and protect citizens. The sacrifices of officers like Captain Hamza Akram highlight the ongoing commitment of the armed forces in the fight against terrorism.
