Funeral prayers of army officers martyred in Waziristan attack offered

President Zardari, COAS Gen Munir and CJCSC Gen Mirza among other high-ranking officers attend funeral prayers

RAWALPINDI:

Funeral prayers of martyred Lieutenant Colonel Syed Kashif Ali and Captain Muhammad Ahmed Badar were offered on Saturday at Chaklala Garrison Rawalpindi, reported the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The brave officers embraced martyrdom in a terrorist attack in Mir Ali, North Waziristan a day earlier.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including President Asif Ali Zardari, Chief of Army the Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi among other senior serving military and civil officers. A large crowd of locals and relatives of the martyrs was also in attendance.

"Pakistan Army has consistently upheld the ideals of Faith, Unity, and Discipline and has always endeavored to set higher benchmarks of professionalism and loyalty in its unrelenting fight against terrorism,” the ISPR statement quoted the president.

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He added, “This noble sacrifice stands as another glorious testament to the unflinching resolve of our gallant sons, who have never hesitated to offer the ultimate sacrifice for the defense of our Motherland. The whole nation stands in solidarity with our Armed Forces.”

The bodies of the martyrs were later taken to their respective hometowns, where they will be laid to rest with full military honors, the ISPR stated.

The 39-year-old Lt col, a resident of Karachi, and 23-year-old captain, a resident of Talagang, were among seven soldiers martyred in the terrorist attack yesterday. At least six terrorists were also killed in the attack.

As per the ISPR, troops foiled the initial attempt of intrusion into the army installation in the wee hours of the day however, a group of six terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into it, later carrying out multiple suicide bombings.

The attacks led to the collapse of a portion of a building, resulting in the martyrdom of five brave soldiers. The martyred soldiers included Havildar Sabir, a resident of district Khyber; Naik Khurshid, a resident of district Lakki Marwat; Sepoy Nasir, a resident of Peshawar; Sepoy Raja, a resident of Kohat; and Sepoy Sajjad, a resident of Abbottabad.