RAZMAK, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Security forces killed five militants during a North Waziristan IBO in which Pakistan Army Major Hafiz Ihsan Elahi was martyred on August 1, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
The military launched the intelligence-based operation in Razmak after receiving information about militants it identified as members of Fitna al-Khawarij.
Pakistan uses the term Fitna al-Khawarij for militants affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), according to a published account of the ISPR statement.
Major Elahi, 34, belonged to Mianwali district. ISPR said he was leading his troops when he lost his life during an intense exchange of fire.
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Security forces recovered weapons and ammunition from the militants. ISPR linked them to attacks on civilians, security personnel and law-enforcement agencies.
Clearance operations continued in the area. The military said its counterterrorism campaign under Azm-i-Istehkam would continue in coordination with law-enforcement agencies.
Read: Pakistan Offers Rs 10 m for Information on DI Khan Militants
In a separate operation, security forces killed seven militants, including a suicide bomber, in Nushki district, Balochistan, during the night of July 30 and 31, ISPR said.
The military described the group as Fitna al-Hindustan and alleged Indian sponsorship. Forces also destroyed ammunition and improvised explosive devices found at the hideout.
Rising Security Challenges in KP and Balochistan:
The latest clashes emphasise a broader pattern of escalating security threats along Pakistan’s western border regions:
| Indicator (Q2 2026 CRSS Data) | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) | Balochistan | Combined Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violence-Linked Fatalities | 61% (475 deaths) | 34% (265 deaths) | 96% of total national fatalities |
| Total Violent Incidents | 151 cases (57%) | 94 cases (35%) | 92% of total national incidents |
