Major General Sanaullah. PHOTO: ISPR
The banned militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have claimed responsibility for the Upper Dir blast.
A major general and a lieutenant colonel were visiting troop positions in the Upper Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, along the Afghan border, when their vehicle hit a bomb which killed them and a private soldier.
"Maj Gen Sanaullah and Lt Col Touseef embraced Shahadat (martyrdom) this morning. They were returning after visiting troop posts on Pak-Afghan Border," the military said in a statement.
It said the roadside bomb near the border had also killed Lance Naik Irfan, and injured two other soldiers.
Separately, two roadside bomb attacks in Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan tribal district bordering Afghanistan, killed two soldiers on Sunday and wounded four others, security officials said.
In the neighbouring district of Bannu Taliban militants ambushed a convoy of tribal police early Sunday, killing two of them and wounding four others, the officials said.
Pakistan says more than 40,000 people have died in bomb and suicide attacks by Taliban and Al-Qaeda-led militants who oppose Islamabad's US alliance.
The Pakistani Taliban, responding to a government offer of talks to end their revolt, on Sunday announced preconditions - a troop withdrawal from tribal areas and the release of jailed insurgents.
COMMENTS (101)
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This is not an attempt to create hurdle in the on going talk with TTP . They are openly accepting the responsbility of this heinous crime . One thing is very clear that a fraction of TTP is in fevour of peace while the other is inclining for a total war with govt. of Pakistan . Pak army is awaiting a green signal from the newly elected govt. to eliminate them through the use of even Syrine .
@Modi: much easier to blame others
On September 9, during the inauguration of the Jashan -i-Kumrat; a 10 day long sports festival, Maj-Gen Sanaullah, the commander of security forces in Malakand Division, had said that the Army has secured the western borders of the country by thwarting the nefarious design of the terrorists. It is an irony that yesterday, Maj-Gen Sanaullah, along with Lt.Col Tauseef and L/Nk Imran were killed in IED attack, which was claimed by the TTP. This is the not the first time these terrorists have chosen a cowardly way to target our soldiers. Our condolences go out the families of Maj-Gen Sanaullah, Lt.Col Tauseef and LanceNaik Imran. We stand by the people of Pakistan in their time of grief and support their efforts to counter terrorism.
Abdul Quddus DET-United States Central Command
@Ahmed: At least read the headline before commenting.The tone of your comments mean that US or India are involved
As an Indian, I advise Pakistan’s citizens to take heed of below words by former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton which follow or suffer the fatal consequences .such as tin he article being commented upon of the “diplomatic and moral support” to “”freedom fighting” “mujahideen” that Pakistan claims it is giving:
“ ………… what we’ve said to the Pakistanis is look, if there were ever an argument in the past for your policy of hedging against Afghanistan by supporting the Haqqani Network or the Afghan Taliban or the LET against India, those days are over. Because that’s like the guy who keeps poisonous snakes in his backyard convinced they’ll only attack his neighbors.”
Always remember:
1.You reap what you sow. 2.What goes around, comes around, 3.There is something called blowback, 4.There is actually a boomerang.
This is nothing more than a CONSPIRACY of the CIA-RAW-Mossad (and add to that the Afghan RAAM or whatever it is now called) -- to malign the international image of Pakistan!
@Np: This may be American war or a Pakistani war but it is surely not an Indian War ->
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/majority-of-pakistanis-feel-india-greater-threat-than-taliban/967723/
Comments about India on this page shed enough light on how this whole affair as it is being interpreted within Pakistan. It makes no difference to Indian interests whether its TTP or Pak Army that takes control of these Tribal lands (Indian nationals working in Afghanistan will get attacked in both cases). So, I see no dog for India in this issue. Only an american can confuse this simple logic.
@Troubled: 'Invader' is a word reserved for none other than US/West in Pakistani political discourse. As per the official narrative, These chaps here are all brothers who are to be mainstreamed and with whom peace has to be negotiated. Now whether this was the reason for which Pakistan was created, is a question which only a body of scholars (not just Ayesha Jalal but also the champions of Nazaria-e-Pakistan) can decide.
Talks, negotiations are the way to go. Keep talking. Whoever needs self-determination offer them. Very small incidents like these should not disrupt the peace process.
Some ungrateful Pakistanis keep on justifying the actions of TTP and other terrorists!!choice is between the ones who die to save your lives,and others who kill you and your neighbors without any rationale. Even enemies respect the rules of war not to attack civilians(or at least try to).These killers don't spare even their fellow Pakistanis.Rather they specifically target crowded places,schools,buses,mosques etc. to cause maximum casualities.
Why did they make that atom bomb....For Shabbarat...Pakistan army has been put to shame...MJ boss chief of army should show some balls!!!
@Waziristani: U hindu.ur words are enough to understand ur identity
Conspiracy theorists can you tell me one thing, suppose u r an innocent taliban who turned into a mujahid because of drones and unjust un-islamic system in the country and now you are given a chance to come on table and tell your demands and suddenly someone tries to boycott it and kills an army personnel of high importance. What would your reaction be? You would immediately deny it publicly and tell everyone that this is a conspiracy against us, now these coward animals have claimed the responsibility immediately if you still don't understand this then i can say only one thing "ALLAH aap ko hidayat de"
TTP has no sincerity for tolerant and prosperous Pakistan. Both federal and provincial governments want to negotiate with a group of people who claim to be guardian of Islam yet they do not understand the basic message of Islam, i.e. love, tolerance and acquisition of knowledge.
@Et wats wrong wd u??? Where is my comment???? Jb b coment krta hn ap log publish q nhn krtay..
I guess some would advise that the dialogue process between the Pakistan government and the TTP should also be uninterrupted and not be subject to vagaries of such incidents. That's exactly what was said for dialogue between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks. After all, not talking does not help. So came the sagely entreaty from the Pakistani foreign office at the time of the Mumbai attacks.
It could also be an attempt to sabotage the peace process.RIP our brave soldiers.Hats off to you.
The shahdhat of these brave soldiers should not go in vain and culprits should be punished as per the law of the land.
This is another case of the old "strategic assets" coming home to roost.
The people who have soft corner for taliban will always find ways to support them!!! no matter how costly it will be!!
it is surprising no body blamed MQM and Altaf hussain
@waziristani
What you say absolutely sickens me; knowing that there are people like you in this world. Secondly, im pretty sure its 'waziri', no one uses 'waziristani', probably an indian
The army can't even protect its own top brass who's gonna protect citizens.
For these pet snakes Ek drone to banta hai Boss!!!!
@Naveen: There is no freedom fighter. This is an invasion by animals who want us to live by their interpretation of Islam at the tip of the sword. They are invaders, they do not belong in this country and they were not the reason for this country.
may allah rest their soul in peace,,Dir is strong hold of Jamat-e-Islami...recently al-Qaeda operative was captured from PU...another strong hold of its student wing..its militants wing Laskhar -e-taiba
when will todays muslims learn that success in current age will come through the biggest jihad and that is jihad -e- nafs....make yourslef a better muslim, make your aulad a better muslim and you will never need to pick up arms....,peace is what should be our motto...because that is true Islam.....you can never cite a single ayat or hadeeth which says that you should do nothing else but fight and wage war all the time....!!! jihad of war proportions is only farz when we will have united as one...so first unite as one...do not remain as 50 - 60 nations.......be one and then you will see once again that the world will be on back foot...once again the need for war will diminish..... aazmaish shart hae,,,,, ittehad and love and peace....no sectarianism...no hatred....see the results... otherwise you will see more alshabab, alqaeda, taliban and so on............and more embarrsament....west will keep on looting you your wealth...and you will keep on being played with as pawns.....
NS and Sonama Khan. Carry on Peace negotiation and TTP will keep scewing you.
.........these criminals understand only one language and that is spoken out of the barrel of a gun. The restraint displayed by our armed forces is not understood and is seen as weakness.........something that should not be tolerated.
Grim and sad day for us , still our political leadership is dying out for negotiations with inimical forces he'll bent to wreck of what ever has been left. Height of appeasement when stewards of destiny call them as stake holders. The TTP as already known have sounded the Republic Of Pakistan to with draw the Pakistan Army from tribal areas and release their compatriots over four thousand jail inmates charged with heinous offences . Watch out as how the one in saddles club the new N.R.O
@Sara Hamid: prayer does not work . prayer is the weapon( consolation ) of weak. :
@What TTP?: What do you smoke
As an Indian, I advise Pakistan’s citizens to take heed of below words by former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton which follow or suffer the fatal consequences .such as tin he article being commented upon of the “diplomatic and moral support” to “”freedom fighting” “mujahideen” that Pakistan claims it is giving:
“ ………… what we’ve said to the Pakistanis is look, if there were ever an argument in the past for your policy of hedging against Afghanistan by supporting the Haqqani Network or the Afghan Taliban or the LET against India, those days are over. Because that’s like the guy who keeps poisonous snakes in his backyard convinced they’ll only attack his neighbors.”
Always remember:
1.You reap what you sow. 2.What goes around, comes around, 3.There is something called blowback, 4.There is actually a boomerang.
"This is not our war" Sigh
where is Imran Khan today, may be he is celebrating his success in declaring TTP a stakeholder.
@Naveen: Coward terrorists are coward terrorists. They kill civilians and use other civilians as human shields. Non- violent freedom fighters like Gandhi, Nehru , Patel went to jail to fight oppression.
Even Bhagat Sing, Rajguru, Sukhdev only killed the specific man wo had killed Lala. Lajpatrai Rai. Their attack on parliament house was in the night when it was not in session since they wanted to send a message but not cause loss of life.
People like George Washington wo were also considered freedom fighters by US, did not attack civilians and did not hide or use civilians as human shields but fought bravely.
There is a HUGE difference between these cowards and brave freedom fighters. But the 2 sweets are clouding your judgment.
When a drone killed a well known TP leader, there was a lot of tweeting by PTI leaders. Somehow when 3 army officers are killed by 'our people in FATA' in KPK, the province they are governing there is complete silence.
Score: Our people in FATA : 1 Pakistan: 0
Who is wrong ? Army - Imran Khan - Nawaz Sharif and his big crops of Muallahs.Al Zawahari Drones and TTP are controlled from same station,do not fool yourselves please.
The talibans are only Talibans.. They are not good or Bad.. Pakistan is in the Trap set by taliban.. Those who r known as good taliban will Change themself in bad taliban if they r unable to get their profit or aimed goal...
as peace process initiates, something goes wrong. similar to drone strikes disrupting previous peace dialogues. peace talks must continue no matter what!
@myawan: O bhai... taliban accepted the responsibility. You still don't get it, do you?
@What TTP?: APC resolution calls TTP as “our people in the tribal areas”. So by your silly comment, all APC members are Indian proxy?
@What TTP?: WOW, you say "TTP .... Is an Indian Proxy"!!! And of course you can provide us with credible references to support your comment! @Modi You say, "Work of Afghan Intelligence and RAW"!! Pleeeeeze tell us just how you know that!!!
Inalillah e wa ina ila e rajeoon A very sad day indeed, the only thing that I want to ask ttp sympathizers is that why don't they deny that they have done this if they are innocent? I think it's time we realize that they are playing with us and they don't show any mercy. I pray things get better but the omens are not good.
As long as Muslims are discriminated and persecuted, this type of freedom struggle will continue. Just cause. Inquilab Zindabad!
@Nak: Why are you dragging Indians, into what is essentially, a family feud ? Just a small fight beween brothers... chill man
Look at all the Imran Khan headlines on ET; and the news of death of two senior officers is buried deeper inside.
...And we will negotiate a PEACE deal with these cold blooded killers?
The only solution divide and kill those animals.
@Anunlikelyguy: One man's coward terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. There exists a situation of conflict and everybody is doing its duty. People die in the process. There's no right or wrong side here and nothing to be emotional for a third party member, particularly when both sides involved in conflict have a similar hostile attitude towards the third party.
@What TTP?: really?? this is called karma,, first you fed them for your use,, now they are not only back, but front also biting . stop blaming Indians, because taliban are muslims and they will not kill other muslims for evil hindus, this is commonsense)
Government including KP goverment is bending backwards to talk to TTP. Is it wise, they kill our valiant soldiers. This is convoluted thinking. TTP is a bunch of criminals
@Someone: You are crazy. Talibans were not created by the Afghans. Our mad Zia-ul-Haq, USA & Saudis created this monster to fight the Soviets. Bin Laden was not found in Afghanistan but in an urban centre of Pakistan next to establishment headquarters. We need to wake up and accept our own senseless policies otherwise many more will be killed by our own "Strategic assets"!
Atleast now pak army shuld realise that there is no point in creating Frankenstein and the only way to end terror is to kill terrorist and not to negoitate with them.
A SOLDIER IS A SOLDIER NO MATTER TO WHICH PART OF THE WORLD HE BELONGS TO.
RIP MG SANAULLAHShocked to read that many feel TTP is an Indian proxy. If it was so why would an APC be held and everyone showed consensus in talking to these terrorists. Better that citizens gherao the residences of Politicians and ask them why they want to negotiate with Indian proxies. Why no one questioned Nawaz Sharif, Maulana Diesel, and Imran Khan ? Is peoples memory so short they do not know who created the Taliban and who recognized that Government, if not why. These are not some Martians but neighbors, brothers and relatives --- all Muslims.
Taliban attacks will continue and have increased to get a better deal on the negotiating table. Talibans want to prove that they have upper hand in the war against terrorism and can defeat Pakistani army any time any where.
RIP - all the shaheeds of Pakistan armed forces and innocent victims of terrorism. May God give courage and wisdom to our leaders to fight the dark forces of evil.
ET this should have been your headlines instead of those IK usual statements.doe life of a soldier means nothing
Tragic that a Maj Gen and a Lt Col have fallen to terror. I don't care whether they were Pakistani or Indian. They were brave, professional soldiers protecting their country. And I don't care who the terrorists were. They were cowards.
Absolutely unforgivable act of TTP. Karzai must hand over these culprits, Pakistan demand these killers within 48-hrs n if Afghanistan fail to do so Pakistan commandos need to cross into Pakistan n either kill or bring these butcher to Pakistan.
A soldier is lucky to die in battlefield than those who surrender and are dragged out of homes and hanged. Soon cowards and hypocrites will wish a soldiers death.
@Someone: It is your army waste. PAF needs to bomb GHQ; the Generals are criminals. Afghanistan itself is a victim of Paki Generals evil designs.
May Allah give the martyred soldiers highest place in Jannah. Ameen. Those with cheeky comments, may you never lose a loved one but it can happen, have a heart and use your pea size brains for a change. Unless of course you are an Indian troll in which case ET better use good judgment.
So a single incident after a long time and people have started condemning pti already. And we were using force for ten years and count the number of incidents that have occured. My dear brothers please give time to I.k and pti, unless anyone who are the true beneficial from this war on terror to continue.
@myawan: yes true USA planted this IED ... but how ??? via drone !!!! probably they were martyred in a drone strike !!!! get a life !!! have some sense !!!!
@Imran khan: You told us fight and dialogue cannot go in parallel, you gave us examples of other countries to prove your point.
Now, Take that sir!
This is so sad. We need to salute our brave soldiers who defend the country from Internal and External forces.
May Allah bless the departed souls. The whole country should mourn the deaths
Every death is a huge loss for the country, whether a nameless child in a drone strike or a Major General in an assassination... may God bless the souls of all such victims of terrorism, and may the rest of us stand together to defeat this menace and defend ourselves against foreign intervention.
Congratulations to PTI. This incident heralds the peace in the region! No mention of the incident in any way by PTI govt. of K-P? eh?
Negotiating with Taliban will be the biggest mistake in Pakistan's history turning it into an Afghanistan kind of failed state ungovernable and anarchist in its totality. I am disgusted for Army's lack of ruthless action against these. Wake up.
May Allah (st) bless these martyrs with the highest place in Jannah and forgive their sins. Such sad news. I have people in my family who served for this country & yet this was they get in return, murdered by their own ppl. Ya Allah pls guide us to the right path and forgive us!!
@Someone: our country has been under bombardment since 1979 and no one gained anything from it. I think before coming to our country it is important to clear north wziristan,Karachi and balochistan.
Yet another example of lack of training and risk perception on the part of our armed forces. Losing a major general is a big blow to morale. I wonder if Pak Army will review its operating procedures based on this.
And I wonder if anyone in army was called to account for placing a brigade HQ in an avalanche prone area. Some bodies are still to be recovered, I believe.
If they were killed in Balochistan, Army would have killed dozens of civilians in return by now.
Innalliahi wa inna ilyhi rajioon. Watan ki mitti tumhain Salam kehti hai.... Aay raahe-Haq kay shahiidon.
I wonder whenever talks are about to being something big happens...Coincidence i hope... P.S. may his soul rest in peace
Was it the work of good Taliban or bad Taliban ? Is the Government going to negotiate with the good or bad one ? Very confusing picture !
A landmine caused it. But the eagerness of this 'ghost' organization TTP, (with no clear motive, no history of Islam service or Islam love, and no evident leadership you can talk with).. is a point to think about. TTP has in fact nothing to do with Islam: it is just an Indian proxy that has so far hurt our civilian and extremely important military/PAF/Navy assets which they and us understand does NOT serve Islam in any conceivable way! And TTP is also supported (allowed a free hand?) by the US with the aim to twist Pakistan's arm forcing us to quit sheltering/supporting the real Taliban. The young lads who they call TTP are brainwashed and trained in Afghanistan camps (aka Indian embassies) located near the Af-Pak border. This blast shows the masterminds want the fire between Pak Army and the TTP to remain alive and to keep hurting Pakistan. We have to press on. Let the opponents decide and chose, one side or the other. When the dust settles, we can go after the die-hard enemies! A salute to our martyrs!! (PS: Indian trolls please stay off this..)
@Imran Umaid: Shahzad is absolutely right. those were Imran Khans brothers.
and I hate PTI .
All available resources should be used to target the Taliban. Kill the men, burn their crop and lay their villages to waste. Otherwise be prepared for these types of incidents to keep repeating themselves. Shame on the politicians who want to negotiate with vile criminals.
This is a huge loss. PAF should avenge the lost soldiers and eliminate those responsible with extreme prejudice.
May Allah grant them the highest place in Jannat.
Food for thought, when was the last time a politician when do these areas and visited the troops?
THE CIVILIAN GOVT AND MEDIA INSTITUTIONS ARE ON POSITIVE SIDE BATTLING FOR WHAT I CALL #SOUL OF PAKISTAN but PAK as a sociecty must pay the price of policies(READ DEEP STATE) which it has nurtured over years and still following them.
ET YOU ARE NOT PUBLISHING MY COMMENTS,PLEASE PUBLISH.
@Shahzad: fazloo kay 0..0 bhonk mat ps i am a supporter of maulana sb !!! \/
FROM WHERE TALIBAN ARE COMING TO NEGOTIATION WITH USA and AFGHAN GOVT???? WHO WANTS TALIBAN TO BE IN POWER IN KABUL and IS PROTECTING THEM.???
leave the rest ,its case of #FF RIP RIP
May Allah bless the departed souls. RIP.
Very sad news... :(
If the federal government was SINCERE in its negotiations the TTP would bring peace.
@Shahzad: "" Big achievement for Imran Khan’s brothers today. Khan sahib must be feeling very happy today. PS: I am a PTI supporter. "" Shame on you for calling them Imran Khan's Brothers. PS: I am NOT a PTI supporter.
Huge setback, very huge setback. But since Excellency Pervez Khattak told you to vacate Malakand yesterday, what were you doing in the border regions today ? You cannot blame Pervez uncle for this loss.
Rest in peace, defenders of the soil.
Big achievement for Imran Khan's brothers today. Khan sahib must be feeling very happy today. PS: I am a PTI supporter.
US certainly doesn't like peace between Pakistan Govt and Taliban......More incidents like this are quite possible but both Govt and Taliban should stick to the agreement firmly.
Major General and Lieutenant Colonel !!!!!!!! now this is a big loss, may God bless them.
and now few friend of Taliban would say that it is a fake incident,,,,,
Pakistan Air Force needs to conduct air strikes on Afghanistan. These Afghans will continue destroying our country. It is time to permanently seal the Afghan border and prevent Afghan terrorism occurring in Pakistan.
negotiations anyone?
Let us see who claims responsibility. TTP and govt. saying lots of entities trying to disrupt peace process!
The only good Taliban is a dead Taliban.