ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- At least seven militants and a soldier were killed in a security operation in Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province bordering Afghanistan, Pakistan's military said Monday.
According to Pakistan military's media wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Kulachi of Dera Ismail Khan district in KPK on reported presence of militants.
During the conduct of the operation, Pakistani troops effectively engaged the militants' location and after an intense exchange of fire, seven militants were killed.
However, during the fire exchange, a brave son of soil having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom, confirmed ISPR. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the militants, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.
Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other militant found in the area, as the relentless Counter Terrorism campaign by security forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country, the military added.
President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have commended security forces for successful operation against the militants in DI Khan.
In their separate statements Monday, they lauded the professional capabilities of the security forces for eliminating seven militants during the operation.
The President and the Prime Minister paid tribute to the martyr, who sacrificed his life for the motherland during the operation.
The operation comes a day after security forces kill 13 militants during two separate intelligence-based operations in different districts of KPK.
Pakistan is witnessing a rise in terror attacks especially in KPK and Balochistan provinces bordering Afghanistan. (end) sbk.mb