ISLAMABAD: Eight militants, including a "terrorist commander" were killed on Wednesday in a security operation in northwestern Pakistan that also claimed the life of a soldier, the military's media wing said.
Pakistan's restive South Waziristan district has been a safe haven for militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Pakistani Taliban, who are separate from the Afghan Taliban but have pledged loyalty to them.
The TTP have carried out some of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan over the past two decades, often targeting the country's security forces. The South Asian country has seen an uptick in violence in the Waziristan belt bordering Afghanistan, particularly after a fragile truce between the TTP and the state broke down in November last year.
Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the "intense" exchange of fire between militants and security forces took place at Shinwarsak in South Waziristan district during an intelligence-based operation (IBO).
"Own troops effectively engaged the terrorists' location and 8 x terrorists including terrorist commander Jan Muhammad alias Chargh were sent to hell," the ISPR said. "Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists."
The military's media wing said the slain militants were actively involved in "terrorist activities" against security forces and killing innocent citizens.
The military also suffered a casualty as Sepoy Hamid Rasool, 31, was killed while four others, including two officers, were injured during the exchange.
"Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve," the ISPR said.
