An army soldier was martyred, and four terrorists were eliminated during a crucial Dera Ismail Khan operation, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported on Thursday.
According to the military’s media wing, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation on April 16, 2025, in the Maddi area of Dera Ismail Khan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The action was launched after receiving confirmed reports about the presence of Khawarij terrorists.
During the fierce encounter, security forces engaged the terrorists with precision. As a result, four militants were successfully neutralized. However, during the heavy exchange of fire, Sepoy Basit Siddique, 23, embraced martyrdom after fighting bravely for the motherland.
Weapons and a large cache of ammunition were recovered from the killed terrorists. ISPR confirmed that these militants were involved in several attacks in the region. Following the intense Dera Ismail Khan operation, a sanitization process was carried out to clear the area of any remaining threats.
Security forces reiterated their commitment to eradicating terrorism from the country. “The sacrifices of our brave soldiers only strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR stated firmly.
The recent Dera Ismail Khan operation comes against a backdrop of increasing terrorist activity. Pakistan witnessed a significant 42% rise in terror incidents in January 2025, compared to the previous month. This alarming surge was highlighted in a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).
The PICSS data revealed that 74 militant attacks were recorded nationwide in January alone. These attacks resulted in 91 fatalities, which included 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Another 117 individuals suffered injuries, including 53 members of the security forces, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the hardest-hit province. It was followed by Balochistan in terms of militant activities. In KP’s settled districts, militants carried out 27 attacks. These assaults led to 19 deaths, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.
In KP’s tribal areas, previously known as FATA, the situation was even worse. There were 19 attacks, causing 46 deaths. Among the victims were 13 security forces personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.
The bravery shown in the latest Dera Ismail Khan operation reflects the unwavering spirit of Pakistan’s security forces. Their sacrifices continue to drive the mission to cleanse the land of terrorism and extremism.
