Major, two soldiers martyred in Bannu IBO

An army major and two soldiers were martyred during an intelligence based operation (IBO) in the Bannu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, in which eight terrorists were killed, while seven others sustained injuries, the media wing of the military said on Wednesday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the security forces conducted the IBO in the general area Bakka Khel.

“Own troops effectively engaged khwarij’s location, as a result of which eight khwarij were sent to hell, while seven khwarij got injured,” the ISPR said in a statement.

It added that during an intense exchange of fire, Major Atif Khalil, 31, while leading his troops from the front, fought gallantly and embraced Shahadat along with his two men.

The two martyred soldiers were identified as Naik Azad Ullah, 36, and Lance Naik Ghazanfar Abbas, 35.

“A Sanitisation operation is being carried out to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR statement said.

Shaheed Major Atif Khalil belonged to the Sudhanuti district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). He had served in the military for more than eight years. He left behind his parents, brothers, wife and a daughter.

Shaheed Naik Azadullah belonged to the Karak district, who had been serving in the Army for 15 years. He left behind his wife, two sons and a daughter. Shaheed Lance Naik Ghazanfar Abbas Shaheed belongs to Layyah district. He served in the army for years. He left behind his wife, a daughter and a son.

Earlier, according to the ISPR, security forces conducted a separate IBO in the night between Tuesday and Wednesday in general area of Sambaza in the Zhob district of Balochistan on the reported presence of terrorists, and killed one of them, captured another and recovered arms and ammunition.

“During conduct of the operation, intense fire exchange took place between own troops and Khwarij, as a result of which, one Kharji was sent to hell, while one Kharji was apprehended in injured condition. A sanitisation operation is being conducted to neutralise any other Kharji present in the area,” it added.