RAWALPINDI: On the night of 7–8 October 2025, security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation in Orakzai District, acting on information about the presence of Khwarij militants affiliated with the Indian-backed group Fitna al-Khawarij.
According to the ISPR, the operation resulted in the elimination of 19 militants, showcasing the precision and effectiveness of Pakistan’s security forces in counter-terrorism operations.
During the intense operation, Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Arif, aged 39 and a resident of Rawalpindi, along with Major Tayyab Rahat, aged 33 and also from Rawalpindi, led their troops from the front.
Demonstrating extraordinary courage and leadership under fire, both officers embraced shahadat along with nine other soldiers, sacrificing their lives in the line of duty.
The nine soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice alongside the officers include Naib Subedar Azam Gul, aged 38, from District Khyber; Naik Adil Hussain, aged 35, from District Kurram; Naik Gul Ameer, aged 34, from District Tank; Lance Naik Sher Khan, aged 31, from District Mardan; Lance Naik Talish Faraz, aged 32, from District Manshera; Lance Naik Irshad Hussain, aged 32, from District Kurram; Sepoy Tufail Khan, aged 28, from District Malakand; Sepoy Aqib Ali, aged 23, from District Swabi; and Sepoy Muhammad Zahid, aged 24, from District Tank.
This operation underscores Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to countering terrorism and eliminating threats posed by foreign-sponsored militant groups. It reflects the resilience and determination of the armed forces to protect national security and maintain peace in the region.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid heartfelt tribute to the martyrs, acknowledging their extraordinary bravery and selfless sacrifice. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the officers and soldiers and extended condolences to their grieving families.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s steadfast determination to eradicate terrorism from the country and emphasized the nation’s unwavering solidarity with the armed forces.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has confirmed that a sanitization operation is ongoing to eliminate any remaining militants in the area. The Pakistani military remains resolute in its mission to eliminate the menace of terrorism and ensure the safety and security of the nation.
