Security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation in Orakzai district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the night between October 7-8, killing 19 militants belonging to the India-backed Fitna Al Khawarij terrorist group, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.

According to the ISPR, troops acted on information and displayed “utmost courage and bravery,” inflicting heavy losses on the enemy.

During intense exchanges of fire, Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Arif, 39, a resident of Rawalpindi, and his 33-year-old deputy, Major Taib Rahat — also from Rawalpindi — were martyred while leading the operation. Nine soldiers were also killed in the action.

The ISPR identified the other martyrs as: Naib subedar Azam Gul, 38, resident of District Khyber; Naik Adil Hussain, 35, resident of District Kurram; Naik Gul Ameer, 34, resident of District Tank; Lance Naik Sher Khan, 31, resident of District Mardan; Lance Naik Talash Faraz, 32, resident of District Mansehra; Lance Naik Irshad Hussain, 32, resident of District Kurram; Sepoy Tufail Khan, 28, resident of District Malakand; Sepoy Aqib Ali, 23, resident of District Swabi; Sepoy Muhammad Zahid, 24, resident of District Tank.

The ISPR said a sanitisation operation is ongoing in the area to locate and detain or eliminate any remaining India-backed militants.

The Pakistan Army spokesperson vowed that the country’s security forces remain determined to eradicate India-backed terrorism from Pakistan, and said the sacrifices of the fallen officers and soldiers strengthen the nation’s resolve.

The ISPR appealed to the public to salute the martyrs’ sacrifices and to stand with the armed forces in the ongoing national effort against terrorism.