President, PM condemn attack on security forces

The country's top leadership on Saturday condemned an attack on security forces in Tirah Valley in which at least three security personnel embraced martyrdom and a dozen others got injured after militants launched a series attacks on several security posts in Khyber district early Friday morning.

The assaults took place as security forces attempted to intercept militants infiltrating the Rajgal Valley from Afghanistan. Confirming the martyrdom of three soldiers, the ISPR on Friday said that four militants were also killed.

President Asif Ali Zardari, condemning the attack, expressed his condolences on shahadat of security forces personnel.

The president lauded the sacrifices of personnel of security forces who laid down their lives for the motherland, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.

He paid tribute to Shaheed Havaldar Inam Gul, Sepoy Muhammad Imran and Sepoy Altaf Khan.

The president lauded the security forces for their valiant actions and reiterated the resolve of continuing actions against terrorists. "The entire nation is standing with its security forces to root out the scourge of terrorism," a press release quoted the president as saying.

In his separate message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded officers and jawans for operation of Pakistan Army against the terrorists in Tirah Valley and for eliminating four terrorists.

He paid tribute to Hawaldar Inam Gul, Sipahi Muhammad Imran and Sipahi Altaf Khan for embracing martyrdom in the operation against the terrorists. He prayed for the elevation of ranks of the martyrs and for patience for the bereaved families.

He said war against terrorism would continue till its complete eradication from the country.

The whole nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces of Pakistan against terrorism, he stressed.