Rawalpindi:Six militants belonging to the Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij were killed during an intelligence-based operation conducted by security forces in the Zarkani area of Dera Ismail Khan district on October 24, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday.

According to the military's media wing, the operation was launched following reports about the presence of militants in the area. Six militants were killed following an intense exchange of fire.

However, Naik Ghulam Murtaza, 36, a resident of Gujrat district, and Sepoy Taseer Ahmed, 30, a resident of Talagang district, embraced martyrdom while fighting gallantly against the militants, the ISPR said.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, who, according to the ISPR, had been involved in several terrorist activities targeting security forces, law enforcement agencies and innocent civilians.

A sanitization operation is underway to eliminate any other militants present in the area, the statement added.

The ISPR said security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue their counterterrorism campaign under the vision of 'Azm-e-Istehkam,' approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

The sacrifices of security personnel, the statement said, reaffirm the nation's resolve to safeguard Pakistan against terrorism.