Eight Terrorists Eliminated in Hangu Clash, Six Brave Personnel Embrace Martyrdom
Captain Abuzar Farooq and Lieutenant Sheraz Babar embraced martyrdom while leading their troops from the front
HANGU: (News Pulse) Six security personnel, including two officers, were martyred while eight terrorists were killed during an intense exchange of fire in Hangu district on Sunday, the military’s media wing said.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), an exchange of fire took place on September 20 between a convoy of security forces and terrorists in Hangu district.
The ISPR said troops effectively engaged the terrorists, killing eight members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which the state officially refers to as Fitna-al-Khawarij.
“Eight Khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna-al-Khawarij were killed due to effective engagement by own troops,” the military’s media wing said.
However, during the fierce exchange of fire, two officers leading their troops from the front and four other security personnel embraced martyrdom, according to the ISPR.
The martyred officers were identified as Captain Abuzar Farooq, 23, a resident of Gujranwala district, and Lieutenant Sheraz Babar, 22, a resident of Chakwal district.
The ISPR said both officers “fought gallantly and paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat” along with four other personnel.
Following the engagement, sanitisation operations were launched in the surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining terrorists and ensure the safety of local residents as well as vital national highways, the statement said.
The military said counterterrorism operations under the government-approved Azm-e-Istehkam framework would continue with full resolve.
“Security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating the menace of foreign-sponsored and foreign-supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR said.
It added that the sacrifices of the country’s soldiers further strengthened the resolve of security forces to protect the nation and maintain peace and security.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the six security personnel who embraced martyrdom while confronting terrorists in Hangu.
Naqvi particularly paid homage to Captain Abuzar Farooq and Lieutenant Sheraz Babar, saying the two officers and their fellow personnel had made a great sacrifice while fighting the terrorists.
He said the security personnel had bravely confronted Fitna-al-Khawarij and killed eight terrorists.
“The martyrs are the pride of the nation and their eternal sacrifices will always be remembered,” the interior minister said, adding that the nation could never fully repay the debt owed to those who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Naqvi also expressed his condolences and sympathies to the families of the martyrs.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also praised the security forces for their operation and paid tribute to the personnel who lost their lives.
He said security forces had rendered “eternal and unprecedented sacrifices” for peace and security in the country.
“The martyrs are the pride of the nation and the crown on our heads,” Shah said while praying for the high ranks of those who embraced martyrdom.
The latest clash comes amid a broader increase in militant violence in Pakistan. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), the number of attacks in the country has risen significantly in recent years, increasing from 658 in 2022 to 2,425 in 2025.
Earlier this week, security forces killed 10 terrorists in multiple engagements in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa between September 15 and 17, while six security personnel were martyred.
Last month, security forces also killed 11 terrorists in separate intelligence-based operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, targeting suspected members of Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan.
The security forces have vowed to continue operations against militant groups until the threat of terrorism is eliminated.
