Soldier martyred in exchange of fire with terrorists in North Waziristan

ISPR says Pakistani troops apprehended an injured terrorist after effectively engaging the militants

A soldier of the Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom on Monday during an exchange of fire with terrorists in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district, the military said in a statement.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistani troops effectively engaged terrorists' location and apprehended an injured terrorist.

It said that a resident of district Mardan 41-year-old Havildar Muhammad Zahir, having fought gallantly, embraced martyrdom, during the intense exchange of fire with the terrorists.

ISPR said that the sanitisation operation is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area.

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“Security Forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” it further said.

As per the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), 560 acts of terrorism were reported in the tribal areas of K-P in 2023.

Data obtained from the CTD showed that there have been 209 attacks on security personnel in 2023 compared to 124 in 2022; 243 attacks on police compared to 118 in 2022; 167 policemen and officers have attained martyrdom in terrorist attacks in 2023, compared to 83 in 2022; and 101 soldiers and officers have attained martyrdom last year, compared to 96 in the year before last.