RAWALPINDI: Pakistani security forces killed 10 terrorists during an intelligence-based operation IBO in Dera Ismail Khan DI KHAN district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on March 20, 2025, the military’s media wing said Thursday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that troops surrounded the terrorists’ location and engaged them in a firefight, eliminating all 10.
However, Captain Husnain Akhtar, 24, from Jhelum district, was martyred while leading the operation. The ISPR praised him as a courageous officer known for his bold actions in previous missions.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists, who were reportedly involved in attacks on law enforcement and civilians. A sanitization operation is ongoing to clear the area of remaining threats.
Pakistan has faced a surge in terrorist attacks since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Also read: Three terrorists killed in IBO in Khyber
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, January 2025 saw a 42% increase in terror attacks, with 74 incidents resulting in 91 deaths, including 35 security personnel.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains the worst-affected province, with 27 attacks in settled districts and 19 in tribal areas, causing significant casualties among security forces and civilians.
