Three soldiers, four militants killed in fire exchange in northwestern Pakistan

In this file picture, taken on June 17, 2014, Pakistani security personnel keep watch at a checkpoint in Hangu, a town in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. (AFP/File)

• The clashes between the two sides took place at three different locations in Tirah Valley
• The area has a history of militancy due to its rugged terrain, proximity to Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s security forces lost three soldiers in clashes with militants at three different places in Tirah Valley, located in the northwestern Khyber district, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Friday, adding that four militants were also killed.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant activities since the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, unilaterally called off a fragile ceasefire with the government in November 2022.
Much of TTP’s militant activity has been confined to the country’s western provinces, prompting security officials to launch intelligence-based operations against its fighters who are reportedly being armed with sophisticated military equipment, including night vision devices.
Tirah Valley, where the recent clashes occurred, has a history of militancy due to its rugged terrain and proximity to the Afghanistan border.
“On 9 August 2024, fire exchange took place between Security Forces and the Khwarij [militants] at three different locations in Tirah Valley of Khyber District,” the ISPR said, adding that four of these militants were killed due to effective engagement of troops.
“However, during the intense fire exchange, three brave sons of soil, Havildar Inam Gul (age: 37 years, resident of District Mianwali), Sepoy Muhammad Imran (age: 29 years, resident of District Tank) and Sepoy Iltaf Khan (age: 22 years, resident of District Mardan), having fought gallantly embraced Shahadat [martyrdom],” it continued.
The ISPR also mentioned “sanitization operation” in the area to eliminate other militants.
It added that Pakistani security forces were determined to eliminate extremist violence from the country.