Two soldiers martyred in Afghan border clash

Pakistan strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan, says ISPR

PESHAWAR:

At least two soldiers of Frontier Corps (FC) embraced martyrdom when the troops intercepted terrorists attempting to cross the fence along the Pak-Afghan border in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Kurram district, the military said.

According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the incident occurred on the night between October 26 and 27. "Troops initiated a prompt response and thwarted the attempted illegal crossing by engaging the terrorists," it added.

The ISPR said that during the intense fire exchange, 24-year-old Lance Naik Asad from Kurram and 21-year-old Sepoy Asif from Lakki Marwat embraced martyrdom.

"Pakistan strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan and expects that interim Afghan government will not allow such activities against Pakistan, in future," the statement from the military's media wing read.

It further said that Pakistan Army is determined to guard Pakistan's frontiers against the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.

In a similar incident in May, at least one army soldier sustained injuries when terrorists from Afghanistan opened fire from across the border on a military post in Bajaur district.

In the same month, at least four personnel of the Frontier Corps (FC) were martyred while six others were injured in a terrorist attack in Balochistan's Zhob district.

The FC troopers were part of a fencing party working on the Pak-Afghan border when they came under attack from Afghanistan.

"[The attack took place] today during [a] fencing activity in Manzakai sector, district Zhob, Balochistan along [the] Pak-Afghan border," read a statement from the ISPR.

"Terrorists from across Afghanistan ambushed FC troops moving for fencing. 4 FC soldiers embraced shahadat while 6 got injured. FC troops responded promptly," the communiqué added.