11 Soldiers, Including Lt. Colonel and Major, Martyred in Orakzai Operation

In a major intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Orakzai district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 11 Pakistan Army soldiers — including a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major — were martyred while 19 Indian-backed militants of the group Fitna-tul-Khawarij were eliminated.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation took place during the night between October 7 and 8. Pakistani forces launched the action based on confirmed intelligence against militants linked to Indian proxies.

During an intense exchange of fire, 39-year-old Lt. Colonel Junaid Arif and 33-year-old Major Tayyab Rahat — both from Rawalpindi — embraced martyrdom while leading their troops. Nine other brave soldiers also laid down their lives in the line of duty.

The martyred soldiers include Naib Subedar Azam Gul (Khyber), Naik Adil Hussain (Kurram), Naik Gul Amir (Tank), Lance Naik Sher Khan (Mardan), Lance Naik Talish Faraz (Mansehra), Lance Naik Arshad Hussain (Kurram), Sepoy Tufail Khan (Malakand), Sepoy Aqib Ali (Swabi), and Sepoy Muhammad Zahid (Tank).

ISPR stated that a clearance operation is still ongoing to eliminate any remaining militants.

Pakistan’s armed forces remain steadfast in their commitment to eradicate terrorism and its foreign backers from the country. The supreme sacrifices of these heroes strengthen the nation’s resolve against extremism.