Two security personnel, including a major, were martyred in an exchange of fire with terrorists in Balochistan’s Harnai on Thursday, the military’s media wing said.

The martyred security forces personnel were identified as Major Muhammad Haseeb, 28, a Rawalpindi resident, and Havildar Noor Ahmed, 38, a Barkhan resident.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said: “Security forces under Major Muhammad Haseeb were immediately mobilised to sanitize the area on the reported presence of terrorists, planning to target innocent civilians in the Harnai district.”

At least three terrorists were killed in the gun battle with security forces, it added.

“Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the statement said.

The funeral prayer for Major Muhammad Haseeb Shaheed was held at Chaklala Garrison, Rawalpindi.

Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, Federal Minister Planning Development Ahsan Iqbal, along with senior military and civil officials, officers, soldiers, and family members of the martyred major, attended the ceremony.

The army chief expressed that the sacrifice being made by the “valiant officers and soldiers exemplify the unwavering dedication towards defending the country against the menace of terrorism.”

He highlighted that the “nation stands in solidarity with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies in the fight against Fitna al Khawarij and all those who hold their reins.”

Pakistan has seen an increase in militancy since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021, with the Pakistani chapter of the movement carrying out attacks mostly targeting security forces.

Last week, four Frontier Corps soldiers were martyred in an exchange of fire with terrorists from the banned Fitnal Khawarij group, erstwhile TTP, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s South Waziristan district.

Earlier this year, the government designated the banned TTP as Fitna al Khawarij while mandating all institutions to use the term khariji (outcast) when referring to the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on Pakistan.

The Harnai attack comes on the heels of the Quetta Railway Station blast, which killed at least 27 people and injured more than 50 people.

In reaction to this, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti decided to expand the intelligence-based operations in the province.

“The federal government will provide all possible support to the Balochistan government to deal with the menace of terrorism,” Naqvi said while presiding over a meeting on the law and order situation in the province on Sunday.