Four soldiers martyred in South Waziristan

Four soldiers were martyred while fending off an attack by terrorists on a check post of security forces in the Makeen area of South Waziristan late Thursday night, the military’s media wing said in a statement on Friday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that the security troops responded promptly and killed four terrorists.

“During the exchange of fire, four soldiers – Lance Naik Imran Ali, Sepoy Atif Jahangir, Sepoy Aneesur Rehman and Sepoy Aziz – embraced shahadat (martyrdom),” the statement added.

“The area sanitisation is in progress,” the ISPR said.

President Dr Arif Alvi condemned the terrorist attack on the army check post.

The president expressed grief over the martyrdom of army personnel and prayed for peace of the departed souls.

He also sympathised with the bereaved families and prayed for their strength so they could bear the loss with fortitude.

Also, Minister for Information Senator Shibli Faraz expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of four soldiers.

In a tweet, he said they were proud sons of this brave nation, who sacrificed their lives for the great cause of defence of the homeland and peace in the country.

The minister presented salute to the courage and patience of the families of the martyrs. “The nation is committed to eliminate the remnants of the terrorists.”

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan strongly condemned the incident and expressed condolences over the martyrdom of security personnel and heartfelt sympathy to the families of the martyrs.

Mahmood said that the security forces have made numerous sacrifices in the war against terrorism, “the nation stands by them”.

Earlier on Friday, a five-year-old minor was martyred and seven other children, including a girl, sustained injuries after a group of terrorists based in Afghanistan fired rockets at civilian population in Bajaur district of K-P.

Pakistan Army and other law enforcement agencies rushed to the area and launched search and rescue operations to help the victims.

Last month, security forces had conducted an intelligence based operation (IBO) in the Nargosa area of South Waziristan, killing two terrorists and injuring one.

"Security forces conducted an IBO in Nargosa area of South Waziristan district," the military's media wing had said.

"During intense fire, two terrorists, Usman Ali and Waheed Lashtai, were killed and one got injured and apprehended."

The ISPR said the terrorists were active members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Sajna group and were experts in making improvised explosive devices. (With input from agencies)