Staff Report
RAWALPINDI: An army officer was martyred during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Awaran district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday, attributing the incident to Indian-backed militants.
According to the military’s media wing, the operation was launched following reports of the presence of terrorists affiliated with “Fitna al-Hindustan,” described as an Indian proxy group.
During the exchange of fire, security forces engaged the militants, resulting in the killing of three “Indian-sponsored terrorists.”
Major Syed Rabnawaz Tariq, 34, a resident of Muzaffarabad, was martyred during the fierce gun battle.
The ISPR hailed him as a “brave officer who led his troops from the front” and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
In the aftermath of the clash, a sanitization operation was initiated to clear the area of any remaining militants.
“The security forces of Pakistan remain resolute in their mission to eliminate Indian-sponsored terrorism,” the ISPR stated.
“The sacrifices of our brave personnel only strengthen our determination.”
Pakistan has seen a resurgence of cross-border militancy since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, with border provinces such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan bearing the brunt of the violence.
Despite ongoing tensions with India, the country experienced only a modest increase in militant activity in May 2025.
Data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) shows a 5% rise in attacks compared to April.
However, analysts note that, overall, militant groups appear largely contained amid the complex regional security environment.
