Four soldiers martyred in terrorist attack from Iran

Attackers used Iranian soil to target security forces convoy; four terrorists killed in Hoshab IBO

RAWALPINDI:

Four security personnel were martyred in an attack in the Panjgur district of Balochistan, which originated from neighbouring Iran, while security forces killed at least four terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Hoshab area of the province, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the ISPR, the media wing of the military, said the terrorists used Iranian soil to target a convoy of security forces, while on patrol in the border. The statement identified the fallen soldiers as Sepoy Asad Ali, Lance Naik Fareed Ullah Khan, Lance Naik Abdul Razzaq and Lance Naik Muhammad Younas Khan.

The ISPR statement further said that Iranian authorities had been asked to track down the terrorists on their side of the border.

Earlier in the day, according to a separate ISPR statement, at least four terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in the Hoshab area. It added that the terrorists were linked to attacks on security forces and civilians and planting of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the M-8.

As a result of continuous "intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) of the area, a location of the terrorists was identified", the ISPR statement said. The military’s media wing added that the IBO was initiated to clear a hideout of terrorists.

Moreover, intelligence agencies have warned of possible terrorist attacks in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Police and other security institutions have been asked to remain alert and ensure strict security arrangements at sensitive installations, police offices as well as important government offices.

The threat alert has been issued after the reports of the presence of terrorist elements in Rawalpindi and Islamabad belonging to a banned organisation and its plan to carry out its saboteur activities and chaos in the twin cities.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the martyrdom of four security officials in a terrorist incident along Pakistan-Iran border. On his Twitter handle, Shehbaz said that the nation paid homage to the sacrifices of their martyred soldiers in the line of duty.

“I strongly condemn killing of our 4 security officials in a terrorist incident along Pakistan-Iran border in Balochistan. Nation pays homage to the sacrifices of their martyred soldiers in line of duty. We expect Iran will ensure that its soil is not used for cross border attacks,” he tweeted.

(With input from APP)