Two soldiers, three civilians martyred in Bajaur ambush

Four terrorists were also killed in security forces' retaliation, says ISPR

At least two soldiers and three civilians were martyred during a terrorist attack in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Bajaur district on Monday, the military said in a statement.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the terrorists fired on security forces in Bloro area of the district which initiated a response from the security forces.

"Resultantly, four terrorists were killed. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists," it added.

ISPR said that the militants remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces.

Read more: Four FC men martyred in Sibi IED blast

The statement added that during the intense exchange of fire, Naib Subedar Ishtiaq, a 44-year-old resident of Nowshera and Sepoy Kamran, a 21-year-old resident of Orakzai, embraced martyrdom after having fought gallantly.

The statement further said that due to terrorists’ fire three innocent civilians – Asmat, Ilham and Bahadur – also embraced martyrdom.

"Pakistan Army is determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers and innocent citizens further strengthen our resolve," the statement further said.

Last week, at least four Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were martyred and 10 other personnel injured in an improvised explosive device blast on an FC convoy in the Sangan area of Quetta’s Sibi district, a government official said.

The homemade bomb had been planted along a road in an area about 180km (113 miles) northeast of Quetta, Assistant Commissioner Sana Mahjbeen Umrani said.

Also read: Army officer martyred in Balochistan IBO

A huge contingent of the FC and other law enforcement agencies reached the site and shifted the injured to Sibi hospital for medical treatment.

Last month, an army officer embraced martyrdom during a shootout with terrorists in Balochistan’s Kohlu district.

According to the ISPR, security forces conducted a clearance operation after receiving intelligence-based information about the presence of terrorists in the area.

Terrorists opened indiscriminate fire while fleeing the area as soon as troops started to cordon them off. During the ensuing heavy exchange of fire, Capt Haider Abbas embraced shahadat in pursuit of terrorists.