Military gives account of Zarkani operation
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations said security forces conducted the operation on Saturday in the general area of Zarkani, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, following reports that militants were present. According to ISPR, six alleged militants were killed during the operation and weapons and ammunition were recovered. Dawn Pakistan and Geo News reported the military’s statement but did not independently verify its account.
ISPR identified the two soldiers killed in an exchange of fire as Naik Ghulam Murtaza, 36, from Gujrat in Punjab, and Sepoy Taseer Ahmed, 30, from Talagang in Punjab. The military alleged that the dead militants belonged to “Fitna Al Khawarij,” a label Pakistan’s state authorities use for members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, and accused them of involvement in attacks on security forces, law-enforcement agencies and civilians.
The military said a further sweep was under way in the area to find any other militants.