Orakzai, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – October 8, 2025
In a night of valor and sacrifice, two officers and nine soldiers of the Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in Orakzai District near the Afghan border. The DG ISPR confirmed the operation, honoring the fallen heroes who “fought gallantly and inflicted heavy losses on the terrorists.”
The Operation
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the security forces launched a coordinated operation on the night of 7–8 October, acting on credible intelligence about the presence of heavily armed militants. In the ensuing firefight, 19 terrorists were neutralized, including several high-value targets.
Despite facing difficult terrain and fierce resistance, Pakistan’s troops stood firm — demonstrating extraordinary courage, precision, and discipline under fire.
The Martyrs
The nation mourns its 11 brave sons who laid down their lives in defense of Pakistan:
Lt Col Junaid Arif (39), Maj Tayyab Rahat (33), Naib Subedar Azam Gul (38), Naik Adil Hussain (35), Naik Gul Ameer (34), L/Nk Sher Khan (31), L/Nk Talish Faraz (32), L/Nk Irshad Hussain (32), Sep Tufail Khan (28), Sep Aqib Ali (23), and Sep Muhammad Zahid (24).
Each of them embodied the Army’s immortal motto — Faith, Unity, Discipline.
Their sacrifice will forever symbolize Pakistan’s unwavering spirit and unbreakable resolve.
TTP’s Involvement and External Backing
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has long been at the heart of attempts to destabilize Pakistan from within. Initially a fragmented militant faction, the group regained power after 2021 through safe havens across the Afghan border, where its leadership continues to operate.
Despite repeated assurances, the Afghan interim government has failed to curb TTP activity, allowing militants to plan, regroup, and launch cross-border attacks against Pakistani security forces.
Intelligence dossiers over the years have traced financial networks, training channels, and communication links connecting TTP operatives to India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and allied networks using Afghan and Gulf routes. The objective remains consistent — to undermine Pakistan’s internal stability, stretch its security forces, and erode national confidence through sustained hybrid warfare.
This strategy blends terrorism, propaganda, and psychological operations, exploiting sectarian and regional divides to weaken Pakistan’s unity. The Orakzai operation therefore represents not just a military engagement, but a chapter in Pakistan’s broader struggle against state-sponsored terrorism — a fight to preserve national sovereignty in the face of hostile regional designs.
National Reaction
The President, Prime Minister, and Chief of Army Staff paid glowing tributes to the martyrs, reaffirming that “their blood will not go in vain.” Funeral prayers were offered with full military honors in their native towns, attended by senior officers and citizens who gathered to salute their courage.
From cities to villages, the nation stood united in grief and gratitude, recognizing the price of peace paid by its defenders.
Follow-Up Operations
Within 24 hours, another IBO in Dera Ismail Khan led to Major Sibtain Haider embracing martyrdom and seven more terrorists being eliminated. These continued actions underscore the unflinching resolve of Pakistan’s armed forces — determined to uproot terrorism and ensure peace, no matter the cost.
Epilogue
The sacrifice of these 11 sons of the soil reminds every Pakistani that peace is never free — it is earned by the blood of the brave. Their courage will echo in the mountains of Orakzai and in the hearts of a grateful nation.
Their legacy will live on — as defenders of faith, guardians of the motherland, and symbols of Pakistan’s eternal strength.
