11 Pakistan soldiers martyred in Orakzai IBO: ISPR
RAWALPINDI: Eleven Pakistan Army personnel — including Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Tariq and Major Tayyab Rahat — were martyred during a fierce intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Orakzai district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed on Wednesday.
According to the ISPR, the operation was launched late Tuesday night after intelligence reports indicated the presence of Indian-backed terrorists belonging to the outlawed proxy network Fitna Al Khawarij — the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Security forces engaged the militants in an intense gunfight, killing 19 terrorists on the spot. The ISPR said, “During the operation, 19 Indian-sponsored Khawarij were sent to hell due to effective engagement by own troops.”
Tragically, the encounter also claimed the lives of some of Pakistan’s bravest defenders. Leading his men from the front, Lt Col Junaid Tariq (39) and Major Tayyab Rahat (33) embraced martyrdom along with nine other valiant soldiers.
The martyred soldiers were identified as:
Naib Subedar Azam Gul (38), Naik Adil Hussain (35), Naik Gul Ameer (34), Lance Naik Sher Khan (31), Lance Naik Talish Faraz (32), Lance Naik Irshad Hussain (32), Sepoy Tufail Khan (28), Sepoy Aqib Ali (23), and Sepoy Muhammad Zahid (24).
The ISPR further confirmed that a sanitisation operation was ongoing in the area to eliminate any remaining militants. “Security forces remain determined to wipe out the menace of Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country. Such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve,” the statement added.
Tributes from National Leadership
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the loss of the soldiers, paying tribute to the heroes who neutralized 19 terrorists.
“The sacrifices of our fearless sons will never go in vain. We will crush the nefarious designs of Indian-backed terrorists and protect Pakistan’s integrity at all costs,” the premier said.
President Asif Ali Zardari also lauded the courage of the troops, calling the martyrs “heroes of the nation.” He expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, adding, “The sacrifices of our soldiers are a symbol of the nation’s unity and unwavering resolve against terrorism.”
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari extended condolences to the families of the martyrs and reaffirmed his support for the armed forces in their mission to eliminate terrorism.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq echoed similar sentiments, saying, “The sacrifices of our armed forces will never go in vain. The terrorists will never succeed in fulfilling their nefarious designs.”
READ MORE: CTD Busts RAW Terror Network in Karachi, 4 Arrested in Nizamani Murder Case
Rising Security Challenges
Pakistan has faced a resurgence in terrorist attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, following the TTP’s decision to end its ceasefire with the government in 2022.
Recent reports by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) and the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) revealed that the first three quarters of 2025 have witnessed nearly as much militant violence as all of 2024.
READ MORE: Indian-Backed Terrorists Kill Nine Passengers in Balochistan
The Orakzai operation stands as a stark reminder of the continuing threats faced by Pakistan’s security forces and the unwavering courage of those who defend the nation against terrorism, often at the cost of their own lives.
