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PESHAWAR, September 20, 2026: Eight militants were killed and six security personnel, including two army officers, were martyred during an exchange of fire in Hangu district, the military’s media wing said on Sunday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the clash occurred on September 20 when a security forces convoy engaged militants in Hangu.
The military said troops effectively responded and killed eight militants during the intense exchange.
ISPR described the militants as members of what the Pakistani state calls “Fitna al-Khwarij” and alleged that the group was supported by India. These claims were made by the military and were not independently verified.
ISPR identified the two officers killed in the clash as 23-year-old Captain Abuzar Farooq and 22-year-old Lieutenant Sheraz Babar.
The military said both officers were leading their troops from the front when they were killed.
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Captain Abuzar Farooq was a resident of Gujranwala district, while Lieutenant Sheraz Babar belonged to Chakwal district, according to ISPR.
Four other soldiers also lost their lives during the exchange, bringing the total number of security personnel killed to six.
The military said a sanitisation operation was continuing in the area to search for any other militants.
ISPR said security forces and law-enforcement agencies would continue counterterrorism operations under Azm-e-Istehkam, an initiative approved by the Federal Apex Committee of the National Action Plan.
The military said the operations would continue against what it described as foreign-supported terrorism.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security personnel killed in the Hangu clash.
According to the statement cited in the report, the prime minister praised Captain Abuzar Farooq, Lieutenant Sheraz Babar and the four soldiers for their service.
Shehbaz also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased personnel.
He said security forces and law-enforcement agencies would continue operations against militants until terrorism is eliminated.
The latest clash comes amid a series of militant attacks and security operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
