A soldier of the Pakistan Army was martyred and four terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted by security forces in the restive Dera Ismail Khan district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military confirmed on Thursday.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was launched following credible intelligence reports regarding the presence of terrorists in the area. During the mission, security forces successfully engaged the terrorists, resulting in the elimination of four militants.

The ISPR said the terrorists had been actively involved in various attacks against both security personnel and innocent civilians.

Tragically, one soldier lost his life during the intense exchange of fire, the statement added.

A sanitization operation is currently underway in the area to ensure the complete elimination of any remaining threats and to restore peace and stability.

The latest incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by security forces in countering militancy in Pakistan’s northwestern regions, which have witnessed a resurgence of terrorist activity in recent months. (ILKHA)