2 Pakistani soldiers killed by militants during security operation

Pakistan's security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation on 24 October 2026 in the Zarkani area of Dera Ismail Khan District, targeting militants described by the military as members of an Indian proxy group. Six militants were killed during the operation, according to the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR).

During the exchange of fire, Naik Ghulam Murtaza, 36, a resident of District Gujrat, and Sepoy Taseer Ahmed, 30, a resident of District Talagang, were killed. The military said both soldiers fought gallantly and "embraced shahadat" (martyrdom). Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the killed militants, who the DG ISPR said were involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as the killing of innocent civilians.

A sanitization operation is underway in the area to eliminate any other militants present. The military said its counter-terrorism campaign under the "Azm-e-Istehkam" vision, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan, will continue at full pace to wipe out foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.