RAWALPINDI ( WNAM REPORT): Six soldiers were martyred and 22 terrorists were eliminated in engagements in three districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.
It said security forces foiled a terrorist attempt to attack a security post in Thall district and killed three. “However, during the intense fire exchange, six brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom,” the ISPR said.
The martyrs were Sepoy Nizamuddin, Naib Subedar Muhammad Khaliq, Havaldar Jadid Ali and Lance Naiks Shaheedur Rehman, Sifatullah and Wilayat Hussain.
In Tank district, it said an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted by security forces in the Gul Imam area, during which nine terrorists were “sent to hell” while six others were injured.
In another operation in North Waziristan district, ten terrorists were “successfully neutralised”, the ISPR said.
It added that sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area. “Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR said.
The president and the prime minister issued separate statements praising the security forces for the operations while paying tribute to the martyred soldiers.
President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to security forces for killing the 22 terrorists and lauded their bravery during IBOs.
“Killing 22 terrorists in different operations is a great achievement of the security forces,” the president said in a statement issued by the Presidency. “The operations of the security forces will continue until the complete elimination of the terrorists.”
President Zardari expressed grief over the martyrdom of the six soldiers, stating, “The entire nation salutes the martyrs for their bravery in fighting against the terrorists and embracing martyrdom. Our resolve to eliminate terrorist elements and defend the country will remain unwavering.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the security forces for their successful operation against terrorists in KP, according to a statement issued by his office.
“The prime minister praises the professional capabilities of the security forces,” the statement read.
The statement added that PM Shehbaz expressed “deep sorrow and grief” over the martyrdom of the six personnel during the operation. “The entire nation, including me, pays tribute to the security forces personnel who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the beloved homeland,” he said.
