Five soldiers martyred in explosion near LoC

ISPR says incident evident of Indian terrorism and violation of ceasefire agreement

ISLAMABAD: Five Pakistan Army soldiers embraced martyrdom in an explosion along the Line of Control (LoC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s (AJK) Chamb sector on Wednesday, according to the military’s media wing.

“The nature of the explosion, which took place in Barnala area earlier today, is being ascertained,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

“The incident is evident of state-sponsored terrorism by India violating bilateral ceasefire agreement and the international rules,” it added.

The ISPR identified the martyred soldiers as 44-year-old Subedar Muhammad Sadiq, 26-year-old Sepoy Muhammad Tayyab, 36-year-old Naik Sher Zaman, 20-year-old Sepoy Zohaib and 22-year-old Sepoy Ghulam Qasim.

Subedar Muhammad Sadiq was a resident of village Bandi located in Authmaqam tehsil of Neelam district. He served for 23 years in the armed forces. He is survived by three sons and two daughters.

Sepoy Muhammad Tayyab hailed from village Surakhi in Khushab. He had been serving his country for the last five years. He has left behind a widow.

Naik Sher Zaman, father of two sons and as many daughters, spent 13 years in the armed forces. He was a resident of village Shamashaki in Karak district.

Sepoy Zohaib had joined the forces only seven months ago. He was resident of village Nandi Nar Ghamir Manhdala in Poonch district’s Hajira tehsil. He has left behind a widow.

Sepoy Ghulam Qasim was resident of village Sahiwal in Sargodha district and had joined the armed forces last year.