A soldier was martyred while 12 Fitna al-Khawarij and Afghan Taliban personnel were killed during an attempted infiltration from Afghanistan into Kurram district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday. The movement of a group of khwarij attempting to approach the international border from Afghanistan was detected on October 10, following which security forces effectively engaged them, the military's media wing said in a statement issued on October 11.

Despite maintaining a high state of alertness, security forces faced firing from Afghan Taliban posts, which opened fire to support the infiltration attempt. The ISPR added that skilful and precise engagement by vigilant troops resulted in the killing of 12 khwarij and Afghan Taliban personnel.

However, Naib Subedar Hidayat Aman, 40, a resident of Ghizer district, embraced martyrdom during the intense exchange of fire. The ISPR said the incident once again vindicated Pakistan's stance regarding the Afghan Taliban regime's failure to prevent terrorist organisations from using Afghan soil, alleging that the regime facilitated and patronised cross-border terrorism.

The military's media wing added that the Afghan Taliban regime had consistently failed to fulfil its international counter-terrorism obligations. A sanitisation operation is under way in the area to eliminate any remaining Indian-sponsored khwarij.

Reaffirming its commitment to defending the country's frontiers, the ISPR said security forces would continue their counter-terrorism campaign under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision, approved by the Federal Apex Committee, to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country. The statement said the sacrifices of security personnel further reinforced Pakistan's commitment to safeguarding the nation at all costs.