RAWALPINDI-UNS :Seven soldiers — including two officers — were martyred in a terrorist attack on a security forces’ post in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.
Six terrorists were also neutralised in the subsequent clearance operation.
According to the military’s media affairs wing, in the early hours of March 16, 2024, a group of six terrorists attacked a security forces’ post in the general area of Mir Ali of North Waziristan District.
“As own troops foiled the initial attempt of intrusion, the terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the post, followed by multiple suicide bombing attacks, which led to the collapse of a portion of a building, resulting into shahadat (martyrdom) of five brave sons of the soil,” ISPR added.
The martyrs of the initial attack include Havildar Sabir, a resident of District Khyber, Naik Khurshid (resident of District Lakki Marwat), Sepoy Nasir (resident of District Peshawar), Sepoy Raja (resident of District Kohat) and Sepoy Sajjad (resident of District Abbottabad).
“During the conduct of the ensuing clearance operation, own troops led by Lieutenant Colonel Kashif, effectively engaged and killed all six terrorists,” ISPR said.
“However, during the intense exchange of fire, leading his troops from the front, Lieutenant Colonel Syed Kashif Ali (age: 39 years, resident of Karachi) and Captain Muhammad Ahmed Badar (age: 23 years, resident of District Talagang), having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat,” ISPR added.
The military’s media wing said sanitisation operation was being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist present in the area, “as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve”.
Condemnation, condolence pour in
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari, in separate statements, condemned the attack.
The prime minister called the attack a “coward” move by the terrorists.
“The security forces have foiled the sinister designs of the terrorists,” PM Sharif said, according to the prime minister’s office.
“I, and the whole nation, are proud of the martyrs who sacrificed lives,” he said.
He prayed for the departed souls and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
President Zardari condemned the terrorist attack and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
In a post on X, the head of state paid tribute to army officers and soldiers who embraced martyrdom in the attack. He also expressed the nation’s commitment to completely eradicate terrorism.
The president prayed to elevate the rank of martyrs and give patience to their families.
