According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), terrorists opened fire on a police checkpost in the Khutti area on Monday night.
"On receipt of the information, security forces immediately cordoned the area, blocking all possible escape routes," the communiqué said.
The ISPR said the fleeing terrorists were intercepted in general area Saggu, DI Khan district, adding that three terrorists were killed after an intense exchange of fire, with arms and ammunition recovered.
It said that 42-year-old Havaldar Muhammad Azhar Iqbal, 34-year-old Naik Muhammad Asad, and 22-year-old Sepoy Muhammad Essa were martyred during the intense exchange of fire.
"Sanitisation of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area. Pakistan Army is determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism. Such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve," the military's media wing concluded.
On March 10, five terrorists were killed during intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in North and South Waziristan.
During the same month, six terrorists were killed in an IBO in Datta Khel general area of North Waziristan.
Moreover, two soldiers were martyred in an exchange of fire in the same district. The troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location and killed two of them while apprehending as many.
In late February, two soldiers were martyred in an exchange of fire in the North Waziristan district.
Over the past few months, the country’s security situation has worsened, with proscribed terrorist groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Islamic State group, Hafiz Gul Bahadur (HGB) network, and Baloch separatist groups executing attacks with impunity across Pakistan.
The TTP ended its ceasefire in late November 2022, and ordered its militants to carry out attacks across Pakistan.