Islamabad: Two soldiers and six militants were killed during an intelligence based operation in Dera Ismail Khan’s Zarkani area on Saturday, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the military said security forces conducted the operation following information about the presence of militants belonging to what it calls Fitna al Khawarij (FaK), the state’s designation for the banned Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The soldiers were identified as Naik Ghulam Murtaza, 36, from Gujrat, and Sepoy Taseer Ahmed, 30, from Talagang.

According to ISPR, weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants, who it said had been involved in attacks on security forces, law enforcement personnel and civilians. Follow up searches were underway to locate any remaining militants.

ISPR described those killed as Indian sponsored. That attribution was the military’s assessment; the account did not provide independently verifiable evidence of the alleged sponsorship.

An intelligence based operation is a targeted action launched on information about suspected militant locations or activity. The follow up clearance mentioned in the statement refers to searches intended to identify remaining threats in the area.

Separately, Radio Pakistan reported that security forces killed an alleged militant commander, Adil Shah alias Darvesh, during an operation in Balochistan’s Qila Saifullah district.

Citing security sources, the broadcaster said Shah had been associated with the TTP since December 2020 and had handled its financial affairs since 2024.

The sources alleged that he arranged accommodation for foreign militants in Zhob, Sherani and Shaban and had been involved in attacks on security forces and kidnappings for ransom since 2022.

According to the report, 19 first information reports had been registered against him and authorities had announced a PKR 2.5 million bounty. FIRs record allegations and initiate criminal proceedings; they do not establish a conviction.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti praised the security forces. Radio Pakistan said counterterrorism operations in the province were continuing under Operation Radd ul Fitna Three.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi paid tribute to security forces following the operation in Dera Ismail Khan, saying the killing of six militants demonstrated their operational capabilities. He expressed grief over the deaths of Naik Ghulam Murtaza and Sepoy Taseer Ahmed and extended condolences to their families.

Kundi acknowledged the sacrifices of security personnel in counterterrorism operations and said the campaign against militancy must continue until terrorism was eliminated. He added that the nation stood alongside security forces in their efforts to maintain peace and security.