PESHAWAR, Pakistan: At least seven militants including a senior commander Yar Wali Khan were killed in an encounter with the security forces in the Salarzai tehsil of Bajaur agency, the security officials said.
However, three soldiers including a captain were also martyred and two others injured in the clash.
The security officials said that the clash took place when the security forces conducted a search operation in Banda area of Salarzai tehsil.
“Two soldiers and an army captain have been martyred while seven militants were also killed in the clash,” a security official told a foreign news agency, adding that two soldiers were wounded.
The security officials said that the security forces also arrested 25 suspects during the search operation in various areas of Salarzai.
A full-fledged military operation Zarb-e-Azb against has been continuing in Pakistan’s restive northwestern tribal region since June 15 last year against various outlawed militant groups.
Last week, addressing a think-tank of Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in the United Kingdom, the Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asim Bajwa the security forces have so far killed 2,000 militants in the North Waziristan tribal region while its 200 soldiers embraced martyrdom in the operation Zarb-e-Azb and 800 others sustained injuries.
The ISPR Chief said the Army Chief General Raheel Sharif has clearly directed to carry out operation against terrorists without any discrimination.
