Security forces repel major militant assault in Pakistan's Hangu District

More than 100 militants belonging to the Fitna al‑Khawarij group attempted to infiltrate the Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from the mountains of Orakzai, targeting the villages of Zargari, Shinawari and Naryab. A coordinated response by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, the Counter‑Terrorism Department, the Frontier Corps and the Pakistan Army engaged the attackers in several days of fighting, inflicting heavy losses on the militants and eventually forcing them to retreat while evacuating their dead.

During the clashes, mortar shells fired by the militants struck residential areas, killing six civilians and injuring 13 others. Authorities reported that security forces have cleared public property, schools and surrounding mountainous terrain after the operation. Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed praised the personnel involved, announced cash rewards and commendation certificates for participating officers, and affirmed the police’s capability to eliminate militant threats.

The operation is deemed a successful defensive action that prevented the militants from besieging border posts and further endangering the civilian population.