Eleven Pakistani military personnel, including Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Arif and his deputy Major Tayyab Rahat, were killed during a gunfight with armed militants in the Orakzai district near the Afghan border on Wednesday. The clash erupted during an intelligence operation, according to an official statement from the Pakistani army.
The military described the encounter as an “intense” firefight with fighters identified as members of banned militant groups collectively referred to as “Khawarij,” including the Pakistan Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the attack. Security sources told Reuters that militants ambushed a military convoy using a roadside bomb before opening fire.
Nineteen militants were reported killed during the operation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif honored the fallen soldiers, praising their bravery and service.
The Pakistan Taliban has intensified attacks on security forces in recent months, aiming to overthrow the government and impose a strict Islamic regime. Islamabad accuses the group of operating from Afghanistan and alleges backing from India, accusations denied by both nations.
This incident underscores ongoing security challenges in Pakistan’s northwest amid regional tensions and militant insurgency.
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