PESHAWAR: Two Pakistani soldiers were martyred and several security personnel injured during a clash between security forces and militants in the Dara Adam Khel area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday, according to local security sources.
The operation began early Friday morning when Pakistan Army’s 9 Division and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) reportedly targeted suspected militant hideouts near Dog Mail Primary School in the Sarwar Khel area using drones.
Shortly after the strike, intense gunfire erupted between security forces and militants, triggering a prolonged exchange of fire in the mountainous region.
Sources said security forces also carried out mortar shelling in the hills surrounding Lal Shah Baba shrine to block possible militant movement routes. At around 10:30 a.m., Pakistan Army helicopters joined the operation and shelled suspected militant positions.
Initial reports said two army personnel Havaldar Ahmed Nawaz and Sepoy Bilal Bashir were martyred during the operation.
Six army personnel were also reported injured, including Naib Subedar Ahmed, Havaldar Waseem, Lance Naik Shahid Zawar, Lance Naik Arif, Naik Sharif and Sepoy Mazhar Shehzad. A CTD official identified as Jan Mohammad was also injured.
Security sources said a search and clearance operation was still underway in the area, while additional troops had been deployed to reinforce ongoing efforts.
No official statement was immediately issued regarding militant casualties or the final outcome of the operation.
Dara Adam Khel, located between Peshawar and Kohat, has witnessed repeated militant activity and counterterrorism operations in recent years as Pakistani security forces continue efforts to curb insurgent networks in the region.
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