Three soldiers were martyred and 19 terrorists were killed in three separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

The operations were conducted on January 6-7, the Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement.

The martyred soldiers were identified as Lance Havaldar Abbas Ali, 38, a Ghizer resident, Naik Muhammad Nazir, 37, a Skardu resident, and Naik Muhammad Usman, 37, an Attock resident.

They were martyred in an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Karak operation. Three members of the banned Fitna Al Khawarij were killed in the operation.

On the reported presence of Khwarij, the security forces conducted an intelligence based operation in the general area of Matani, Peshawar district. “During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the khawarij location and resultantly, eight khawarij were sent to hell.”

Another intelligence based operation was conducted in the general area of Baizai, Mohmand district. Eight terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with the security forces, the ISPR said.

“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe-out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” it said.

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Pakistan has been battling a resurgence of militant violence in its western border regions since the Taliban’s 2021 return to power in Afghanistan.

Last year saw casualties hit a six-year high, with more than 1,500 civilians, security forces and militants killed, according to the Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies.

On December 21, 2024, 16 soldiers were martyred in a terrorist attack on a security forces check post in the general area of Makeen, South Waziristan district.