Soldier martyred in ongoing Balochistan rescue operation

A soldier embraced martyrdom on Friday during an exchange of fire between military personnel and terrorists belonging to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

According to the military's media wing, during an ongoing recovery operation for Umer Javed, a terrorist hideout was discovered near Khost in the Khalifat mountains, and cleared by security forces.

Once encircled by army personnel, the terrorists opened fire on the troops closing in. Havildar Khan Muhammad embraced martyrdom during the exchange of fire.

Five terrorists of the proscribed BLA were also killed, the ISPR said.

The ISPR maintained that the clearance operation will continue in the area till the remaining perpetrators are captured and Umer Javed recovered.

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It was reported a day earlier that a lieutenant colonel of Pakistan Army, who was abducted on the night between July 12 and 13 while returning from Quetta, was shot dead while two terrorists were also killed in a rescue operation.

According to the ISPR, on the night between July 12 and 13, a group of 10-12 terrorists abducted Lieutenant Colonel Laiq (serving in DHA Quetta) and his cousin Umer Javed while returning to Quetta near Warchoom, Ziarat, after having visited Quaid's residency.

The ISPR said that, “On receipt of information, Army Quick Reaction Forces were immediately despatched to chase fleeing terrorists who traced them moving to their hideouts in general area Mangi Dam. A deliberate search operation was launched by security forces using SSG troops and helicopters.

“Resultantly, on the night of July 13/14, a group of six to eight terrorists was spotted moving in a Nullah in nearby mountains by one of the teams of the security forces. On sensing their possible encirclement, terrorists shot Lieutenant Colonel Laiq Shaheed and attempted to flee,” the military media wing added.