Pakistan's army announced on Sunday that six militants and two soldiers were killed during a security forces operation in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The slain militants were identified as members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
In a statement, the military claimed that the killed militants were supported by India and had been involved in multiple attacks against security forces, police, and civilians in the country. The operation is part of a newly launched counter-terrorism program named "Azm-e-Istehkam."
The army asserted that it would continue its operations against armed groups. This latest clash comes amid a surge in militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in recent months.
According to statistics from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, 54 attacks were recorded in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in August of this year, a 50% increase from the 36 attacks reported in July.
In response to the rising attacks, Pakistani security forces have expanded their operations in different areas of the province. Earlier this month, state media reported that eight militants were killed during a security operation in Dera Ismail Khan.
Furthermore, a report by the Center for Research and Security Studies indicated that the number of victims of violence in Pakistan increased by 83% in the third quarter of this year compared to the second quarter. The report showed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces experienced the highest levels of violence, accounting for 98% of all victims during this period.
Source: Pakistan Army
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