Three soldiers martyred in Balochistan, two cops in K-P
ISPR says that Pakistan's security forces remain determined to defeat acts of cowardly terrorists. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
At least three Pakistan Army soldiers embraced martyrdom during two separate terrorist activities, while seven people were injured in a blast in different areas of Balochistan on Saturday.
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, two policemen embraced martyrdom in a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED) explosion targetting a police patrol.
According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, security forces conducted an operation in the Hoshab area of the province based on the intelligence about the presence of "externally supported terrorists" in the surroundings of Turbat.
"On being surrounded by the security forces, an engagement ensued, in which terrorists suffered heavy losses," it added.
During the engagement, the ISPR said, two soldiers — Sepoy Ramzan from district Sargodha and Lance Naik Liaqat Iqbal from district Swabi — sacrificed their lives while fighting valiantly.
In another related incident, the official communiqué said, Sepoy lnamullah, a resident of district Lakki Marwat, embraced martyrdom while clearing an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists along a route frequented by civilians.
The ISPR said that Pakistan's security forces remained determined to defeat acts of cowardly terrorists, aimed at disrupting the peace, stability and progress of Balochistan.
Separately, seven people, including a policeman and women, were injured in a blast in the Nawa Killi area of Quetta, a Civil Hospital, Quetta spokesperson said.
Security forces and rescue officials rushed to the area following the explosion and shifted the injured to Civil Hospital, Quetta.
Police officials said the explosion occurred near a police mobile, adding that a bomb weighing three to four kilogrammes of explosive material planted on a motorcycle was used in the blast.
Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo condemned the attack, directing that the best medical treatment be provided to the injured.
Read more: Soldier martyred in Hangu attack
“Subversive elements want to destroy the province’s peace. The protection of citizen’s lives and properties is our foremost priority,” the chief minister said in a statement.
“We will end the chaos of terrorism with the cooperation of the people,” he emphasised.
Earlier in the day, at least two police personnel were martyred in an explosion in Khar tehsil of Bajaur, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday, a police official said.
The explosion, reportedly a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED), targetted a police patrol.
According to DPO Abdul Samad Khan, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation after the incident.
The martyred personnel were identified as Constable Abdul Hayan and Constable Siraj. The bodies were shifted to a local hospital for medico-legal formalities.
Immediate investigation of the incident has been ordered by the authorities concerned.Last month, a soldier was martyred when terrorists fired at a military post in Hangu's Thall area.
The military's media wing added that the troops initiated a "prompt response and effectively engaged" the terrorists' location.
"During the exchange of fire, Sepoy Waqas (age 26 years, resident of Mansehra) embraced shahadat," the communique added.
Earlier on October 18, a soldier of the Pakistan Army was martyred when terrorists fired on a security forces' post in Spinwam, North Waziristan district of K-P, the military said.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the troops initiated a prompt response and effectively engaged the terrorists' location. "During intense exchange of fire, Sepoy Saifullah (age 25 years, resident of Karak) embraced shahadat," it added.
In a similar incident earlier last month, a soldier embraced martyrdom after terrorists targeted a security forces post in Ghariuom, North Waziristan.
The military launched a clearance operation in the area after the attack.
On October 2, four soldiers of Frontier Corps (FC) and a Levies sub-inspector embraced martyrdom while thwarting a terrorists attack on a security forces vehicle in the Spinwam area of North Waziristan.
ISPR
On 13 November 21, based on intelligence about the presence of externally supported terrorists in surroundings of Turbat, security forces conducted an operation in Hoshab area, Balochistan. On being surrounded by the security forces, an engagement ensued, in which terrorists suffered heavy losses.
During the engagement, 2 soldiers, Sepoy Ramzan resident of District Sargodha and Lance Naik Liaqat lqbal resident of District Swabi sacrificed their lives fighting valiantly. In another related incident, while clearing an Improvised Explosive Device planted by terrorists along a route frequented by civilians, Sepoy lnam Ullah resident of District Lakki Marwat embraced Shahadat. Pakistan's Security Forces remain determined to defeat acts of cowardly terrorists, aimed at disrupting peace, stability and progress of Balochistan.
Also read: Seven soldiers martyred in South Waziristan IBO