RAWALPINDI: A Pakistan Army major and four soldiers embraced martyrdom during a sanitisation operation in Balochistan’s Barkhan district, while seven terrorists were killed in the exchange of fire, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.
According to the military’s media wing, troops of the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps Balochistan launched an area sanitisation operation in the Nosham area of Barkhan district on May 13, 2026, to eliminate terrorists belonging to what the state describes as “Indian-backed Fitna Al Hindustan”.
The ISPR said security forces successfully located and engaged a group of terrorists during the operation. Following an intense exchange of fire, seven terrorists were killed.
Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were also recovered from the slain militants, the statement added.
During the operation, 31-year-old Major Bhatti, a resident of Pakpattan, embraced martyrdom while leading his troops from the front.
The other martyred soldiers were identified as Naik Fida Hussain, 36, from Sukkur; Sepoy Zakir Hussain, 32, from Skardu; Sepoy Suhail Ahmed, 21, from Khanewal; and Sepoy Muhammad Ayaz, 24, from Rahim Yar Khan.
The ISPR stated that sanitisation operations in the surrounding areas were continuing to eliminate any remaining terrorists present in the region.
The military reaffirmed that counterterrorism operations under the national vision “Azm-e-Istehkam” would continue with full force to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the officers and personnel of the security forces for carrying out the successful operation against terrorists in Barkhan.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier paid tribute to the martyred soldiers and prayed for the elevation of their ranks while expressing condolences to their families.
“These brave sons of the soil set an extraordinary example of loyalty and sacrifice while defending the country,” the prime minister said.
He added that the Pakistani nation would never forget the sacrifices rendered by its martyrs and reiterated that the entire nation stands firmly with the armed forces in the fight against terrorism.