16 troops martyred in check post attack

Sixteen servicemen were martyred staving off a terrorist attack on a security check post in the volatile South Waziristan tribal district, the military said late Saturday – the day four terrorists were eliminated by troops as they tried to sneak in from neighbouring Afghanistan.

Eight attackers were also killed in the check post attack that happened on the night between Friday and Saturday. "On [the] night [between] 20-21 December 2024, a group of Khwarij attempted to attack a security forces check post in [the] general area Makeen, South Waziristan District," the military's media wing, the ISPR, said in a statement.

"The attempt was effectively thwarted by own troops and in [the] ensuing fire exchange, eight khwarij were sent to hell. However, during intense fire exchange, sixteen brave sons of [the] soil, having fought gallantly embraced Shahadat," the ISPR statement added.

The military uses the term "Khwarij" for terrorists belonging to the TTP, an outlawed umbrella of terrorist groups which has been using its sanctuaries in Afghanistan as a launching pad for attacks inside Pakistan.

"[A] sanitisation operation is being conducted in the area and the perpetrators of the heinous act will be brought to justice," the military statement added. "The security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve."

30-year-old Lance Naik Liaqat Ali Shaheed, a resident of District Kurram, defended the motherland by serving in the Pakistan Army for 11 years. 31-year-old Lance Naik Muhammad Shaheed, a resident of District Karak, served the Pakistan Army for 9 years; 38-year-old Havaldar Ayub Khan (District Attock) served for 15 years; 40-year-old Havaldar Umar Hayat Shaheed (District Kohat) served for 17 years; 26-year-old Sepoy Mahboob Rehman Shaheed (District Tank) served for 8 years; 37-year-old Havaldar Muhammad Hayat Shaheed (District Bannu) served for 17 years; 26-year-old Lance Naik Sher Muhammad Shaheed (District Malakand) served for 7 years; 22-year-old Sepoy Ihsanul Haq Shaheed (District Lower Dir) served for 4 years; 25-year-old Sepoy Junaid Shaheed (District Khyber) served for 3 years; 29-year-old Lance Naik Hamid Ali Shaheed (District Swabi) served for 8 years; 26-year-old Sepoy Kaleemullah Shaheed (District Lakki Marwat) served for 3 years; 41-year-old Havaldar Tahir Mehmood Shaheed (District Kohat) served for 18 years; 29-year-old Lance Naik Musawar Shaheen Shaheed (District Kohat) served for 7 years; 22-year-old Sepoy Faiz Muhammad Shaheed (District Mansehra) served for 4 years; 23-year-old Sepoy Tayyab Ali Shaheed (District Haripur) served for a year and 26-year-old Sepoy Junaid Shaheed (District Shangla) served for 4 years.

Hours earlier, the military said in a statement that security forces killed four terrorists while foiling an infiltration attempt through the Pakistan-Afghan border in the Rajgal area of Khyber tribal district.

"On the night of 19/20 December, movement of a group of Khwarij, trying to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was picked up by security forces in the general area Rajgal, Khyber District. Own troops effectively engaged and thwarted their attempt to infiltrate. Resultantly, four Khwarij were sent to hell," said the ISPR.

However, during the intense fire exchange, one brave son of the soil, Sepoy Amir Sohail Afridi, aged 22 years, having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat, it further stated.

"Pakistan has consistently been asking the Afghan interim government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border. Kabul is expected to fulfill its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by Khwarij for perpetrating acts of terrorism against Pakistan," the military said. "Security forces of Pakistan remain committed to securing its borders and eliminating the menace of terrorism."