16 troops martyred in South Waziristan attack

RAWALPINDI: Sixteen soldiers of the Pakistan Army were martyred while foiling an attempt of khwarij to attack a check-post in South Waziristan.

During an exchange of fire, eight khwarij were also sent to hell. On the night of December 20 and 21, a group of Khwarij attempted to attack a security forces check-post in general area Makeen, South Waziristan district. The attempt was effectively thwarted by the troops and in the ensuing fire exchange, eight khwarij were sent to hell. However, during the intense fire exchange, sixteen brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat.

A sanitization operation is being conducted in the area and the perpetrators of heinous act will be brought to justice. Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said.

The martyred soldiers include Lance Naik Liaquat Ali Shaheed, 30, resident of Kurram; Lance Naik Muhammad Ishaq Shaheed, 31, resident of Karak; Havildar Ayub Khan Shaheed, 38, resident of Attock; Havildar Umar Hayat Shaheed, resident of Kohat; Sepoy Mahbood Rehman Shaheed, 26, resident of Tank district; Havildar Muhammad Hayat Shaheed, 37, resident of Bannu; Lance Naik Sher Muhammad Shaheed, 26, resident of Malakand; Sepoy Ehsanul Haque Shaheed, 22, resident of Lower Dir; Sepoy Junaid Shaheed, 25, resident of Khyber district; Lance Naik Hamid Ali Shaheed, 29, resident of Swabi; Sepoy Kaleemullah Shaheed, 26, resident of Lakki Marwat; Havildar Tahir Mahmood Shaheed, 41, resident of Kohat; Lance Naik Musawwar Shaheen Shaheed, 29, resident of Kohat; Sepoy Faiz Muhammad, 22, resident of Mansehra; Sepoy Tayyab Ali Shaheed, 23, resident of Haripur district and Sepoy Junaid Shaheed, 26, resident of Shangla district.

Meanwhile, a Pakistan Army soldier was martyred, and four terrorists were killed in an infiltration attempt along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Rajgal area of Khyber district. During the night of December 19 and 20, security forces detected the movement of a group of terrorists attempting to cross into Pakistan through the border in the Rajgal area. The troops effectively engaged the group, thwarting their infiltration attempt. As a result, four terrorists were neutralised.

However, in the intense exchange of fire, Sepoy Amir Sohail Afridi, a 22-year-old resident of Khyber district, fought valiantly and embraced martyrdom.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reiterated that Pakistan has consistently urged the interim Afghan government to ensure effective border management on its side to prevent the use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan. “The Interim Afghan government is expected to fulfil its obligations and deny terrorists the ability to perpetrate acts of terrorism against Pakistan,” the ISPR said.

Pakistan’s security forces remain resolute in securing the country’s borders and eradicating terrorism. “The sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for their operations and eliminating operatives of Fitna al-Khwarij. The prime minister expressed his deep grief over the martyrdom of the Pakistan Army soldiers, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. He prayed for the high ranks of the departed souls and grant of strength and patience to the bereaved families.

The prime minister said the sacrifices of the nation’s sons would never go in vain and reiterated that the nefarious intentions of the enemies of humanity would be thwarted. The government and security forces are active to completely eradicate the Fitna al-Khwarij from the country, he added.